Weston sits on illegally acquired land, Ruto finally admits

Deputy President William Ruto has finally admitted that Weston Hotel, which is associated with him, sits on illegally acquired land.

However, Ruto defended himself that he ‘legally bought’ the land from people who had illegally acquired it.

Speaking on BBC HARDtalk show hosted by Stephen Sackur, the Deputy President said he “innocently” bought the land from its original owners, who had “illegally” obtained it.

Mr Ruto, however, says he is doing everything possible to ensure that the illegalities are corrected.

“Tell me about the Weston Hotel, which you own, which is worth an awful worth of money, and which is sitting on illegally acquired land,” Mr Sackur posed the question to Mr Ruto.

“Weston Hotel is a big story…,” said the DP, who, was thereafter, interrupted by the host.

“It is, Kenyans are following very closely; and maybe [that is] why you are top of that [Ipsos] poll [which placed you at the top of the list of leaders Kenyans perceive to be most corrupt]…,” said Mr Sackur.

“You would want to believe that Weston Hotel occupies half of Nairobi. Weston Hotel sits on 0.7 hectares of land…,” responded Mr Ruto.

Mr. Sackur, however, chimed in before the DP could complete his statement: “Illegally acquired land, which actually belongs to the Civil Aviation Authority, and then you miraculously acquired it and built a hotel

“For your information, Weston Hotel was bought…,” replied Mr Ruto.

“Illegally?” insisted Mr Sackur.

The Deputy President, thereafter, let the cat out of the bag, admitting that the Weston land was, indeed, illegally acquired – by its original owners.

According to KCAA’s legal services manager, Cyril Wayong’o, the land where Weston Hotel sits on, originally belonged to the East Africa Community which collapsed in 1977.

It had been developed and was being used as storage premises for the machinery and aviation equipment of the then Directorate of Civil Aviation (DCA).

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