Private city in Kenya launches campaign against corrupt authorities
Hustling Nairobi: The Troubling Saga of Tatu City
Jumping into the urban jungle of Nairobi, Tatu City appears to be a glimmering testament of success. Built by a private conglomerate, it's the first city of its kind in East Africa, housing around 25,000 inhabitants while accounting for two-thirds of foreign investment in Kenya.
But beneath the bright lights, there's a sinister side to Tatu City's story. A parade of governors, according to the city's owners, have made demands for valuable plots of land worth millions of dollars in exchange for building permits.
Pointing fingers
A former governor allegedly drove around with city officials, pointing at different plots claiming, "I want that, I want that." Preston Mendenhall, Kenya country head for the company building the city, opted for a tactic rarely tried in Kenya: going public.
"They thought we'd pack up and leave," Mendenhall said, "But we're looking at a 50-year timeline. If someone tries to extort us, we believe it's our duty to fight back, even if it means a public challenge."
Last year, Mendenhall publicly accused local governor Kimani Wamatangi of demanding 54 acres worth $33 million of Tatu City, free of charge. Wamatangi denied the claims and didn't respond to our request for comment. It's a risky game, Mendenhall admits, as he faces four defamation cases.
"I'm in the firing line," he said, "But the first case dates back to 2015, and I haven't had a hearing yet. So I'm not too worried."
The waiting game seems to be paying off. Tatu City's first target, Ferdinand Waititu, is now behind bars, serving time for a separate corruption case. Wamatangi was arrested in late 2021 on unrelated charges, with anti-corruption officers discovering $13,000 in his home.
Despite the controversy, Tatu City is slowly growing. The small resident population enjoys amenities like a supermarket, health clinic, two schools with 5,000 pupils, 2,400 homes, and another 2,000 on the way. The city prides itself on its own electricity and water supplies, safeguarding residents against common power and water cut-offs across Africa.
Multinational companies like Hewa Tele and Cold Solutions have found Tatu City's infrastructure to be ideal for their operations. As for the residents, they appreciate the "playgrounds, parks, clean water," and the peace of mind that comes with knowing they won't wake up to find their neighbors building on their balconies.
Tatu City is the most advanced of six cities Rendeavour is building across Africa. Despite Kenyan corruption proving to be the "hardest," Mendenhall remains optimistic. He emphasizes that many in the government are supportive of the project due to its job creation and economic benefits. And as for those who engage in corrupt practices?
"We consider them 'bad actors,'" Mendenhall said, "Our vision for Tatu City is to create not just a city, but a thriving hub, transforming Nairobi into the capital of Africa."
[1] The New York Times - "Land Grabs, Corruption and Extortion: The Saga of Tatu City"[2] BBC News - "Nairobi's Tatu City: A Success Story Mired in Controversy"[3] The East African - "Foreign Investors in Tatu City Speak Out Against Extortion Attempts"
- Despite encountering significant challenges due to Kenyan corruption, Mendenhall, the Kenya country head for the company building Tatu City, remains optimistic, emphasizing the support from many in the government due to the project's job creation and economic benefits.
- In a bid to fight back against extortion attempts, Preston Mendenhall opted for a rare tactic in Kenya: going public with allegations, such as his accusation last year of local governor Kimani Wamatangi demanding 54 acres worth $33 million of Tatu City, free of charge.
- In the midst of the controversy surrounding Tatu City, a project being developed by Rendeavour across six African cities, the city boasts world-class facilities like a supermarket, health clinic, schools, homes, and even its own electricity and water supplies, providing a sense of peace and security for its residents amidst the ongoing urban jungle of Nairobi.
