Imenti House is one of the most popular buildings in Nairobi central business district. This iconic building is owned by the Meru Central Coffee Cooperative Union (MCCCU). WoK looks into the rich history of Imenti House, its ownership, and recent events that saw about 200 tenants evicted.
Ownership and History
The building was acquired by the then Meru Central Farmers’ Cooperative Union (MCFCU) in 1975 at a cost of Ksh9 million through a loan provided by Cooperative Bank.
Since then, the property has remained under the ownership of MCCCU, which has reaped substantial financial benefits from it.
Over the years, Imenti House has become a significant source of revenue for MCCCU, generating more than Sh8 million monthly. This income has been vital in supporting the union’s activities and sustaining its operations.
Recent Developments: Tenant Evictions
Imenti House made headlines recently when around 200 tenants were evicted from the premises. The eviction was a result of a protracted rent dispute with the building’s anchor tenant, Shariff Mohamed, who owes the union Sh5.8 million in unpaid rent.
“We have had a problematic anchor tenant who has not been paying the union for several years. The tenant known as Shariff Mohamed owes the union Sh5.8 million. We got an order to have him auctioned and this is why the tenants who were under him have been affected,” MCCCU CEO Duncan Marete was quoted by the Daily Nation.
The eviction was carried out following a court order issued by Principal Magistrate Becky Cheloti of Milimani Commercial Court. This was not the first legal confrontation; earlier, an attempt by Mohamed and other tenants to block MCCCU from interfering with their occupation was dismissed by another Milimani Principal Magistrate, Sammy Opande.
Amidst rumors that the building had been sold, Mr Marete clarified that the property remains under the union’s ownership. The eviction, he explained, was necessary to recover unpaid arrears from the defaulting tenant, not an indication of a sale.
“The tenant has been collecting rent but has not paid the union for several years. We had to seek the intervention of the court to recover our arrears,” the CEO told the Daily.
Future Plans for Imenti House
MCCCU has ambitious plans for the future of Imenti House. The union has announced intentions to upgrade the building into a 25-story structure, which is expected to further enhance its income and solidify its position as a prime property in Nairobi’s CBD.
