Over 600 orphans in harm’s way from a petrol station under construction in Muthaiga North
Investigations by The Informer Media Group have established that NUHA Energy Limited owned by Mohamed Farah Yarrow who holds 200 shares and Abdiaziz Maalim Adam who holds a majority stake of 800 shares is undertaking construction on an adjoining parcel, L.R No. 14861/5, even though EPRA says it has not granted the developer a construction permit. Further, records show Nairobi County and NEMA officials issued approvals two years prior to the mandatory public participation being carried out.
More than 600 orphaned and destitute children living at Mogra Children’s Centre along Kiambu Road face a potentially grave safety and health risk after a private developer began excavating an adjoining plot for a commercial petrol station, despite the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) confirming that no construction permit has been issued for the project.
The development has triggered alarm among the children’s centre, residents and neighbouring stakeholders, who fear that the proposed facility—with underground fuel storage tanks located next to children’s dormitories—could expose vulnerable minors to fire, fuel vapours, toxic emissions and other hazards.
Mogra Children’s Centre has operated from its current location since 1998 and provides shelter to more than 600 children, ranging from abandoned newborn infants to teenagers aged 17.
Some infants rescued by police and brought to the centre are currently being cared for in incubators, raising further concerns about the suitability of placing a petroleum facility next to the institution.
Investigations by The Informer Media Group have established that NUHA Energy Limited owned by Mohamed Farah Yarrow who holds 200 shares and Abdiaziz Maalim Adam who holds a majority stake of 800 shares is undertaking construction on an adjoining parcel, L.R No. 14861/5, even though EPRA says it has not granted the developer a construction permit.
In a letter dated May 5, 2026, responding to an objection filed by Mogra Children’s Centre Director Hannah Wairimu, EPRA confirmed that it had inspected the site on March 3 following an application by NUHA Energy Limited.
The authority said concerns raised by neighbouring stakeholders during the inspection had not been resolved and, consequently, no construction permit had been issued.
EPRA stated that approval would only be considered after the concerns raised by neighbouring stakeholders had been satisfactorily addressed.
“Reference is made to your letter dated April 8, 2026 (Ref: Objection to the proposed petrol station adjacent to Mogra Children’s Home – Request for restriction/change of plan) regarding the proposed development by NUHA Energy Limited on L.R No.14861/5, located along Kiambu Road, Muthaiga North,” EPRA stated.
When contacted for comment, NUHA Energy through their representative promised to get back but have since gone mute.
“The authority visited the site on March 3, 2026 following an application for construction permit by NUHA Energy Limited. The authority noted the concerns raised during the site inspection as submitted by the neighbours. Consequently, the authority has not issued a construction permit of the proposed project at this stage.”
EPRA further stated that issuance of the permit was dependent on resolution of the concerns raised by neighbouring stakeholders.
“Issuance of permit is contingent upon the satisfactory resolution to all concerns raised by the neighbouring stakeholders,” the letter reference number, Our Ref: EPRA/PG/22/CN/an signed by Eng. Joseph Oketch on behalf of the EPRA Director General states.
Despite the regulator’s position, excavations for the proposed facility are ongoing, raising questions over the legal and regulatory basis upon which construction commenced.
The development has also raised questions about how approvals allegedly issued by the Nairobi City County administration and the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) in 2024 were obtained, particularly amid claims that mandatory public participation had not been conducted at the time.
The questions are especially significant because the proposed project is not an ordinary commercial development. It involves the storage, handling and dispensing of highly flammable petroleum products next to a facility housing hundreds of children.
The Muthaiga North Residents Association has formally objected to the project and described the proposed location as inappropriate for a high-risk petroleum installation.
In a notice dated July 3, 2026, and signed by association chairman Dr. Kanyenje Karangaita Gakombe, the residents formally lodged their objection with EPRA, Nairobi City County’s Urban Planning and Built Environment Department and NEMA.
“The Muthaiga North Residents Association hereby lodges a formal objection to the proposed construction of a petrol station next to Mogra Children’s Centre (Reg. NCCS, CNO.0176) at (L.R 14861/4), Muthaiga North, Kiambu Road on the adjoining land (L.R 14861/5). Ref No. PLUPA-BPM-005410-N, Serial No: SUB-014179 by NUHA Energy Limited,” the notice states.
The association was categorical that its objection was not aimed at stopping commercial development generally but was specifically about the location of a petroleum facility next to a children’s institution and within an established residential neighbourhood.
“Our objection is not a general opposition to commercial development. Rather, it is a specific objection to the proposed siting of a high-risk petroleum facility immediately next to a children’s centre and within an established residential neighbourhood where foreseeable risks outweigh any private commercial benefit,” the association stated.
The residents cited several grounds, including failure to safeguard the best interests of children, environmental and health concerns arising from emissions of volatile organic compounds, fuel vapours and possible oil spills.
“A petrol station is a high-risk commercial installation involving the storage, handling, dispensing, and movement of flammable petroleum products. Its placement next to a facility serving children presents risks that should be carefully considered before any approval, permit or development permission is granted,” the association stated.
At the centre of the dispute is the proposed placement of underground fuel storage tanks close to the children’s dormitories.
The centre and residents fear that the children could be exposed to petroleum fumes and other emissions over prolonged periods, with infants and young children potentially more vulnerable to environmental pollutants.
The development comes at a time when Nairobi County’s planning and development approval processes are under heightened scrutiny over allegations of irregular approvals, corruption and weak enforcement.
The Commission on Administrative Justice (CAJ) popularly known as the Ombudsman Office has previously recommended the prosecution of current and former county planning officials over alleged irregular approvals involving high-rise developments, including Khaleej Towers in Eastleigh.
The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission has also investigated suspended Nairobi County Chief Officer for Urban Planning and Development Patrick Analo. During the probe into alleged bribery and unexplained wealth linked to building approvals, EACC recovered more than Sh65 million in cash from his residence.
Analo is also among officials charged in court over the collapse of a condemned 14-storey building in Nairobi’s South C area, an incident that claimed two lives.
