Nairobi Architect Francis Gichuhi has found himself on the spot after residents of Mwitu Lane in the high-end Karen suburb of Nairobi accused him of flouting zoning regulations by putting up a three-storey block in his compound.
The residents say Mr Gichuhi proceeded with the development ignoring communication from the National Environmental Management Authority (NEMA), the National Construction Authority (NCA) and City Hall.
It is alleged that Mr Gichuhi has received numerous letters from City Hall, Nema and National Construction Authority, but he has gone ahead to put up the building.
In their protest letter to the government institutions, the residents said that the land on which Mr Gichuhi has built was originally owned by five persons, who then subdivided it into one-acre plots with the understanding that all plots were to be used for construction of single family dwelling.
“We, however, note with concern that he has decided to illegally add a residential block of three units contrary to zoning regulations and physical planning and Land Use Planning Act,” wrote the residents in a letter to NCA.
However, Mr Gichuhi said that allegations that he was illegally building an apartment are totally false and not substantiated.
“Regulatory authorities write from time to time to contractors and in my case, I provided every document they wanted. If I was breaking the law, they would have taken action by now. The building is already complete,” he said.
Karen is one of the most coveted residential neighbourhoods of Nairobi and the contested development neighbours homes of top Kenyan leaders.
