By Mdadisi Mmoja
The Chief Officer of the Department of Urban Development and Planning at City Hall has come under heavy criticism after the department approved the construction of a multi-million shillings Five Africa Mall to an entity with no license to run any business in the country. The licensing suggests significant flaws in the approval process at City Hall and raises serious questions about the lack of due diligence.
The department issued approvals to a construction firm going by the name Linton Civil Engineering, whose ‘directors’ used deceptive means to register a company with a strikingly similar name to Linton Civil Engineering Ltd., then manipulate City Hall into approving the construction of the shopping mall along Nairobi Ngong Road.
The project is a major development intended to boost the local economy and infrastructure; however, the approval of the project to an entity with no license to operate any business in the country is a serious issue that needs to be investigated by the relevant government departments for the truth to come out. The directors of this ghost entity also fraudulently obtained a NEMA License No. NEMA/EIA/PSL/2985 all without the knowledge and express permission of the directors of Linton Civil Engineering Limited.
In a dramatic turn of events, the development of the Five Africa Mall has been temporarily halted following a court order. This injunction stems from case number ELC CASE NO. E279 OF 2024 dated July 2, 2024, obtained by the directors of Linton Civil Engineering Ltd. The order restrains Paksom Development Limited, the developers of the mall, from proceeding with any further development or construction on the site designated as L.R. No. 330/399 (Nairobi/block 15/232).
Authorities have been called to investigate the legitimacy of the documents presented by Linton Civil Engineering. This probe is expected to cover various aspects, including the registration process of the ghost entity. The potential ramifications of these allegations are significant, with possible legal and financial consequences for those found culpable.
Mr Reuben O. Gusiji, a respected architect hired for the project by the developers, Paksom Development Limited, finds himself embroiled in this controversy. As the architect responsible for the design and oversight of the construction, his professional reputation is now at stake.
The developers include a consortium of investors: Mr Waseem Rafiq, Hussein Jarrar, Abdul Ali Jama, Abdinasir Sheikh Abdullahi, Shazali International Ltd., and Galbet Developers Ltd. These stakeholders now face significant uncertainty and potential financial setbacks due to the halted project.
A section of stakeholders in the construction and real estate sectors have expressed concern over these allegations. Transparency and fairness in such complex processes are crucial for maintaining trust and ensuring the successful completion of large-scale projects. The allegations against Linton Civil Engineering threaten to undermine these principles, prompting calls for a thorough and impartial investigation.
The outcome of this investigation will likely have far-reaching implications, not only for Linton Civil Engineering but also for the broader construction industry in Nairobi. Stakeholders and observers alike await further developments with keen interest, hoping for a resolution that reinforces the values of integrity and transparency in the sector.
