Deputy President William Ruto has launched an aggressive fight to save Weston Hotel from demolition. According to the Standard, Ruto filed a 107-page response through his lawyer Ahmednasir Abdullahi explaining how he acquired the property.
In the legal tussle pitching the DP against Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA), the Senior Counsel argued, “No one has ever claimed the property since he acquired it.”
“Even during the construction, he did not receive any complaint whether from the State or any individual,” Ahmednasir added. The lawyer further argued that Weston Hotel employs 141 people directly and hundreds of others indirectly as suppliers and taxi operators In a May 2018 report by Zenith Valuers, the hotel which Governor Mike Sonko has earmarked for demolition is valued at Ksh300 million.
However, KCAA has written to the National Land Commission (NLC) alleging that the property sits on the authority’s land.
In the response by the lawyer, Ruto acquired the land in 2007 for Ksh10 million from its registered owners, Priority Management Ltd and Monene Investments Limited.
The parcel of land measuring 1.7 acres had been reportedly allocated to the two companies on January 5, 1998, for a period of 99 years. The allotment for the development of residential flats and apartments was issued after payment of a stand premium of Ksh320,000. The directors of Weston Hotel are listed as William Ruto, Rachel Chebet Kimeto and Charlene Chelagat Ruto.
“Our client is a bona fide purchaser for value. If there is any defect on the title, our client was not aware of it.
“The allottee has a valid grant obtained from the Government, on which was endorsed the transfer to our client,” Ahmednasir concluded.