The Nairobi government has been urged to secure maximum value from the Woodley Urban Renewal Housing Project, with the planning committee insisting that the prime land must deliver tangible benefits to residents.
Speaking to the media after inspecting the project, chairman Geoffrey Majiwa said the committee would further scrutinise the agreement between the County Government and Reit Limited, the investor undertaking the development at Woodley Estate.
Majiwa said the Committee would move with speed to ensure the project is completed within the agreed timelines to avoid the challenges experienced in other urban renewal projects, including Jevanjee and Pangani estates.
“We are calling for value for land, which is a vital utility in this project. Other than units we are getting, their completion must also be in good time. We don't want a scenario where people paid for the houses and the investor is nowhere to be seen. So, as you have said, please ensure you strictly adhere to the timelines provided in the contract,” Majiwa said.
The committee's concerns centre on the value of the county's contribution, the timely delivery of the housing units and the need to protect residents and prospective homeowners from delays in completing the project.
Meanwhile, Reit Limited Director Joyce Wanjiru said the project was progressing as planned and would ultimately benefit Nairobi residents.
“We have had a very interesting journey and have followed the law to the letter. I remember when we were tendering, a lot of people discouraged us, but the construction is on and we want to assure the committee and Nairobians at large that we have a beautiful project that would benefit them. Initially, we had several court cases challenging our being here, but we have managed those cases, and I can assure you the project is on course,” Wanjiru said.
Wanjiru assured the oversight committee that the first phase of the project would be completed by December 28, 2028.
Explaining the project's financing arrangements, she said the development had a dedicated account to ensure that funds allocated to Woodley were used exclusively for the project.
“Actually, our head of account is there. How do you fund this project? You have an account that majorly is just for the project. We don't mix one project with another project. Meaning that Woodley has got its own funding, and all of those funding goes to the project. Our reputation is very important. Extremely important, and we will ensure that we deliver” she said.
