Police opposed Ruto hotel plan
What you need to know:
- Minutes of a high-level aviation security meeting held on June 26, 2009 also expressed concern that the owners of the hotel had ignored orders from the Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) and the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) to stop its construction.
- KCAA Director-General Gilbert Kibe yesterday did not want to comment on the State corporation’s position regarding the hotel, saying he needed time to get a proper briefing on the matter.
- A member of the committee yesterday recalled how it expressed deep concern that the hotel was built directly opposite the airport and could be used by terrorists to launch attacks on landing or departing aircraft.
Top security agencies warned against the construction of Weston Hotel, co-owned by Deputy President William Ruto, six years ago because they considered it a serious security threat to Wilson Airport, shows new evidence.
Minutes of a high-level aviation security meeting held on June 26, 2009 also expressed concern that the owners of the hotel had ignored orders from the Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) and the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) to stop its construction.
KCAA LAND
According to the minutes, the aviation security committee meeting listed Weston among the developments that were being constructed on land belonging to KCAA.
Reads one of the minutes: “Members sought to know circumstances that revived the construction of Weston Hotel, having been stopped earlier by KCAA/KAA.”
“Members expressed their concern and disappointment with the re-emergence of developments that have prior been stopped. Similar concerns were raised on the slow pace of dealing with the issues pertaining to illegal developments,” the minutes read further.
KCAA Director-General Gilbert Kibe yesterday did not want to comment on the State corporation’s position regarding the hotel, saying he needed time to get a proper briefing on the matter.
“The matter has not come to my attention. As you know I have just been appointed. But it is a matter we must deal with, so give me one or two weeks and I will be able to give you a clear position,” he stated.
The minutes also show that the Airports Operators Committee brought to the attention of both KAA and KCAA the fact that the hotel was among the developments that had encroached on airport land.
The land was reserved for the provision of emergency services at the Wilson Airport.
A member of the committee yesterday recalled how it expressed deep concern that the hotel was built directly opposite the airport and could be used by terrorists to launch attacks on landing or departing aircraft.
Deputy President William Ruto has publicly admitted owning the hotel and lashed out at those questioning the acquisition of the land on which it is built.
The committee comprised officers from the NSIS, CID, Immigration, airport police and KCAA and KAA.
