Real estate firm Cytonn Investments was last week engaged in a back and forth game of accusations and denials with popular blogger Robert Alai over its Alma project at Karen.
It all started when the blogger published a post claiming that the project had construction deficiencies which Cytonn was working hard to conceal. The blogger had pointed out that the construction project had been censored by officials from the National Construction Authority (NCA).
The blogger then went on to post a suspension notice from the NCA.
“Most of the parts of The Alma building in Ruaka is cracking and NCA has specifically recommended that the property be brought down as it is not fit for occupation with that kind of workmanship,” the blogger posted.
However, Cytonn fired back saying that the allegations were untrue. “All inquiries raised by NCA have been satisfactorily addressed,” said the investment firm in a statement. “The blog alleges that NCA has written a letter condemning the building whereas there is no such letter or condemnation. NCA does regular site visits and raises issues in the ordinary course of business.”
It went on to explain that its main contractor at the project was duly registered and qualified.
“The blog alleges that the Main Contractor, China National Aero Technology International Engineering Corporation, CATIC, is not registered with the National Construction Authority, NCA. Please note that CATIC is indeed registered with NCA as an NCA 1 contractor. CATIC’s registration number is 8710/B/0314. Additionally, CATIC has a strong track record locally as the contractor for Two Rivers Mall, UAP Towers and the 47 floor Avic Center that will house The Marriott, and is one of the largest and reputable developers in the world,” Cytonn said.
In a subsequent post, though, the blogger quoted a source at Cytonn who apparently affirmed that the Alma project had encountered issues: ”The Alma has been having issues and at some point, they had to do remedial works on some blocks just to try and fix some serious structural screw ups. The QA/QC manager even resigned as he couldn’t stand and watch what was happening. CATIC has had some issues with safety of employees and at some point, the employees downed their tools,” the source said.
He further posted that “the NewTown project that was meant to give Tatu City a run for its money, is a ghost town that no one is willing to buy into. The buyers are apparently yet to receive their title deeds even though the project was already launched.”
In the article, he quoted the source saying ”no one wants to buy. Even the sales team don’t want to sell it. Why sell something that is not even approved for development?”