Former Kiambu Governor William Kabogo has been accused of bulldozing a property takeover scheme by one of his tenants.
William Gathecha who filmed an ordeal with the former Governor in a viral video, claims he’s been frustrated by the governor whom he bought a property from in what he sees as a wider scheme to throw him out of the property that according to him, has fully been paid for.
Speaking in the matter, Gathecha’s wife Njeri narrates how the couple’s dream of owning a home in the leafy neighborhood in Kiambu has turned into a nightmare as their landlord (Kabogo) has been giving them hell.
“My name is Njeri. I’m married to William Gathecha. We have always had an ambitious goal to own a house.”
“Other than raise our large family, the house had to be in a serene area as it’d be our retirement home. We have spent decades actively working towards this dream.”
“In 2021, we learnt of Iguta Paradise Homes, a housing development in Runda, along Kiambu Road. It consists of 4-bedroom units sitting on a 1/4 acre of land.”
Njeri clarifies that they made full payments and thereby legally own the house.
“We made the booking, paid relevant deposits and later completed the payments. Due to the excitement of achieving home ownership – we were the first clients to move in – even before completion of the houses.”
Genesis of troubles
She claims all has been well with the former governor but troubles started when Kabogo supposedly had a change of heart on realizing they had acquired themselves the most serene life and view of the mega property.
“Over the years, we have enjoyed a cordial personal and business relations with former governor William Kabogo – so it did not raise alarm for the delay in the processing of the lease.” She said.
“Around this time, my husband Gathecha was elected Chairman of the Iguta Residents Association.”
“Our house overlooks a natural pond – which, as the development continued – revealed a stunning lake view which had not occurred to the owner before the construction begun.”
“It is for this reason that former governor William Kabogo developed malicious interest to repossess our house.”
Harassment
Ms Njeri claim the former governor hatched an elaborate plan to kick them out of the property and subjected them to a systematic harassment.
“On 31st October 2023, the first of many incidences occurred in the systemic abuse, harassment, intimidation and outright violence to make us vacate.”
“The first was triggered by a fumigation exercise – no notice was issued – which endagered my children, staff and pets. I received calls that dangerous chemicals were being sprayed all over the property.”
“My husband Gathecha reached out to Kabogo with an inquiry. The response was hostile. On this date, my husband was seriously assaulted by Kabogo and his bodyguards.”
The incident was reported to the police in Kiambu Police Station, under OB54/31/10/23.
More frustrations
The harassment didn’t stop according to the wife and if anything, she claims things got worse.
“Earlier this year, when the rains came – the entire estate experienced frequent power outages and backup generators kicked in – excluding our house.”
“My husband made numerous enquiries to get power in vain. It hit hard, as we are housing an elderly parent who needs power due to an oxygen machine.”
“Frustrated, my husband installed a generator. This attracted further animosity from William Kabogo, insisting that it affected the estate’s power connections. He upped harassment on my family, and staff.”
Again, she says that the incident was reported by the husband on 11th May 2024, at the same police station under OB17/11/5/2024 for oral threats against my family and unlawful detention of my staff.
“In both cases, no action was taken by the police.” She added.
Seeking refund
Njeri says the harassment has hit fever pitch and more than once, they’ve reached out to Kabogo to reimburse them their money with interests to let go of his property that he seemingly has vested interest in to let go.
“Over the last few weeks, before the altercation that finally broke online – we have been subjected to harassment by security guards.”
“We have endured unnecessary searches at entrance points, no deliveries can be made to the house, and so on.”
“The former governor is keen to repossess the house, and due to the danger it exposes my family – we have continually asked him to refund the cost of the house at current market price.”
“My husband William has also resigned his position in the Iguta Paradise Homes Resident’s Association.”
“I’d wish to make the incidences known to the public – the harassment and the danger to my family – incase it get’s worse.”
“The former governor William Kabogo is influencing the local law enforcement – no action has been taken despite numerous reports at Kiambu Police Station.”
“I’m seeking justice.” She concluded.
Iguta Paradise Homes
The multibillion Iguta Paradise Homes owned by Kabogo is situated in the leafy suburbs of Runda along Kiambu road.
The investment which started in 2018 consists of 60 units of 4 bedroom houses with each unit sitting in a 1/8 acre piece of land.
According to the Iguta homes website, the homes are going for between Sh40 million and 44 million. This means with full occupancy, the project will rake in Kabogo’s pockets over 2.5 billion shillings.
In March 2021, Kabogo invited his long term buddy ex-President Uhuru Kenyatta for a tour of the million-dollar project located near Evergreen Park and Paradise Lost.
Kabogo has ventured into multiple businesses including real estate since his ouster from politics.
Blackmail
Similarly, Kabogo is entangled elsewhere in a Sh4.5 billion bribery court row with investors behind the Tatu City real estate project.
The investors have accused Mr Kabogo of illegally holding onto five title deeds as part of a ploy to blackmail them into ceding a five percent stake in a section of the multibillion-shilling project.
Stephen Jennings, the majority shareholder in the Tatu City projects, claims that Mr Kabogo has fabricated a series of events to try and trick the High Court into declaring that the politician is entitled to five percent of any proceeds that the developers will earn from a 128-acre section of the development.
Kenya Insights allows guest blogging, if you want to be published on Kenya’s most authoritative and accurate blog, have an expose, news TIPS, story angles, human interest stories, drop us an email on [email protected] or via Telegram
