Nairobi City County Assembly Probes Ngara Housing Delays as Buyers Wait Years for Units

Nairobi MCAs have called for an investigation into delays affecting a housing project in Ngara, where buyers are yet to receive units years after construction began.

The Nairobi City County Assembly is responding to growing concern over the stalled multimillion-shilling development, which has left hundreds of prospective homeowners without houses nearly eight years after its launch. Nominated MCA Hellen Okello, representing affected investors, has asked the assembly’s planning committee to summon those responsible for the project and provide explanations. 

She said many buyers committed their savings or took loans, yet continue to repay debts while living in rented homes. The project was launched in February 2018 on the former Bachelors Jeevanjee Estate as an affordable housing scheme. 

Nairobi County contributed the land, while Jabavu Village Limited was responsible for financing and construction of 1,800 units. The developer secured a Sh1.9 billion loan using the title deed, with an agreement to share completed units between the county and the company.

Construction was initially expected to be completed within two years, but progress has been slow. Investors, including members of Taqwa Savings and Credit Cooperative, report paying Sh387.5 million, about two-thirds of the agreed cost.

They later stopped payments after noting that construction did not match the funds already contributed. The units were due for handover in December 2022, but the deadline passed. A revised completion date of February 2026 has also not been met.

The delays have caused financial strain for many buyers. Some families have reportedly separated, while others have lost property after defaulting on loans taken to finance their purchases. One buyer, Shariff Hussein, said investors fear they may have been defrauded.

The developer has attributed the delays to external factors, including the Covid-19 pandemic, disruptions to global supply chains, rising construction costs, and political uncertainty during election periods. Nairobi County Secretary Godfrey Akumali had earlier indicated that part of the project could be completed by early 2026, with full delivery by mid-2027. 

However, recent inspections show that the site is still incomplete. The issue is now under review by the county assembly, which is examining accountability in the housing sector.