Eastleigh

Nairobi property developers form association to address challenges

Chairman of Nairobi Developers Welfare Society Association Abdirahman Shibli. (Photo: Ahmed Shafat)

By Abdirahman Khalif | Saturday, May 11, 2024

The chairman clarified that membership was not only for the Somali community but is open to all Kenyans.

Property Developers Welfares Society of Nairobi was officially launched on Saturday in Eastleigh. The association, uniting property developers in Nairobi, was formed and registered last December.

It was formed to unite all property developers in Nairobi for the members to have one voice in solving their issues.

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The Chairman of the association, Abdirahman Shibli, said that the society aims to unite developers to address common challenges.

"We have common interests and common challenges, and we want to use this platform to address those challenges," said Abdirahman.

He disclosed that currently, the association has over 50 limited companies that are either still constructing or finished construction.

The chairman disclosed that they hope to soon register as many development companies as possible. He also clarified that membership was not only for the Somali community but is open to all Kenyans.

Some of the property developers who attended the event at Atis suites in Eastleigh. (Photo: Ahmed Shafat)

Society's Secretary General Abdi Dahir while speaking to The Eastleigh Voice outlined challenges faced by Nairobi developers. He highlighted the constant harassment by Nairobi City County Kanjos who sometimes arrest their employees without any reason.

He noted that developers face difficulties in obtaining approvals from several government parastatals, alleging some of the officials in these parastatals sometimes demand bribes for facilitation which he said was illegal.

"For instance when we are applying for approvals, we face lots of problems like delays and even extortion by some officials, " said Abdirahman.

Kamukunji Member of Parliament Yusuf Hassan, who attended the event, congratulated the developers on launching their association, stating it would provide a platform to address their issues.

He gave examples of other professionals having Unions which helps them fight for a common goal.

The MP noted the association will now give them a platform to engage with anyone and will also help them in solving their issues. "From today, this association will help push for any decision you make, congratulations for launching it," he said.

Secretary General of the Association Abdi Dahir addressing the attendees. (Photo: Ahmed Shafat)

The association also plans to take advantage of President William Ruto's recent declaration allowing buildings in Eastleigh to go up to thirty floors.

Ruto on Monday said that contrary to the past when developers were subjected to height restrictions, his administration would approve the construction of multi-storey buildings.

"I am the commander-in-chief. In Eastleigh previously, you could not build more than a 12-storey building, but I have now declared that you can build up to 25- or 30-storey buildings [sic]," he said on a visit to Kiamaiko, Mathare Sub-county.

Eastleigh has been experiencing a construction boom in recent months, with modern residential apartments filling up quickly, which has caused a rent increase.

The presidential decree will likely encourage more developers to set up high-rises in the area as the value of land skyrockets.

In April, Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja announced that the government had decided to scrap height restrictions to pave the way for taller buildings in some areas of the capital city.