Delays In Approving Project Causes Cytonn Protest

Cytonn Investment, a real estate company has blamed lengthy regulatory processes for delaying its projects which has forced them to base their completion on approval dates. The Chief Executive Edwin Dande said that its thre-tower mixed-use skyscraper project worth  Sh20 billion that was intended to raise 35 floors each in Kilimani has been delayed after some residents objected alongside National Environment Management Authority (Nema) saying it would a disruption in the area. He adds that similar delays happened to their Karen project whose commencement was first reported in August 2016. “The four-acre parcel of land for Cytonn Towers is intact and we are soon meeting residents neighbouring our project site to seek a solution that works for all of us. These issues take a long time … for instance, our Sh5.5 billion project with 60 luxury units Situ Village in Karen that is to commence after a three-year battle before the Nema tribunal,” he said.

For every planned project, proponents must file a request with the Nema disclosing all details and architectural drawings as well as other regulatory agencies with the public notified to file an objection within 30 days of the notice being published in the Kenya Gazette and daily newspapers.

Mr. Dande who was speaking after he signed a Sh650 million loan with SBM Bank said that The Alma project which has 407 units comprising of one, two and three- bedroom apartments is set for completion by end of year while Sh12 billion project in Ridgeways with 700 units is expected to be done by  next year. SBM Bank deputy chief executive Jotham Mutoka welcomed the partnership saying the bank was looking forward to funding other big-ticket real estate projects as well as fund mortgages. “We are eyeing business at the corporate, SME and retail level in our match to becoming a tier one bank. We bought off third-tier Fidelity Commercial bank and last year added Chase Bank to our portfolio of acquisitions bringing our branch network to 52,” he said.

Mr Dande said apart from the bank loan, the company had attracted Sh11 billion from 3,000 investors and more funds received from Finnish-based listed firm Taareli.

Currently, Cytonn manages Sh82 billion worth of investments in Nairobi and Kiambu with plans afoot to expand residential developments to other major towns in Kenya.