Once envisioned as a flagship initiative by former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko, the Jevanjee Affordable Housing project in Ngara is now facing substantial challenges. Originally conceived to address Nairobi’s urgent affordable housing needs, the project has since attracted attention from President William Ruto but is now engulfed in controversy. Recent reports reveal that Jabavu Village Limited, the company in charge, took out a loan of Ksh 1.9 billion, using the project’s title deed as collateral.
These findings have led the Nairobi County Assembly to formally ask the National Bank of Kenya to suspend all transactions involving the title deed. Abdulkadir A. Hussein, the Managing Director overseeing the Jevanjee Gardens Project, disclosed that the company has so far drawn Ksh 450 million based on certificates issued by contractors and consultants.
Currently, investigations show the project is approximately 50% complete. The affordable housing units are scheduled for completion by September 2025, while market-rate units are expected to be finished by September 2026.
According to Patrick Mbogo, a member of the Built Environment and Urban Planning County Executive Committee, the title deed was at one point under the custody of former Governor Sonko. Sonko, however, has forcefully denied these claims, suggesting that he is being unfairly targeted to distract from deeper issues involving the title deeds.
In a passionate response, Sonko insisted that during his tenure, those impacted by the housing project each received Ksh 600,000 and were assured priority for housing once the project was completed. He also accused some officials under Governor Sakaja of remaining silent, despite their knowledge of the title deed’s transfer to Stephen Gathuita Mwangi, then head of the Urban Planning Department.
