Handover Ceremony of 850 Chania Building | Projects

A quiet event to celebrate the completion of the construction work was held in the suite that is designed to be a restaurant in the gleaming, new building. On Saturday, 30th June, the contractor, Mavji Rabdiya, proprietor of Rabdiya Construction Company, handed over the completed project to the CMS-Africa, the project developers- Bricken Kenya and the investors, fronted by Truestone Impact.

The new building stands out in the neighbourhood, with many saying how beautiful, creative and unique it looks compared to the numerous developments in the area. It is noted that the building was completed on time, actually, slightly ahead of schedule, and below budget.
 

The event had several components, and after the opening prayer, the guests were led by the project architect through each floor so that they could see for themselves the high quality work that characterises the building: ample parking space, excellent finishing of the construction work, emphasis on natural lighting, and the large offices.
 

The handover ceremony had an aura of gratitude to God and the environment was filled with praises at what God had done through the combined efforts of the many teams comprised of contractors, engineers, workmen, and diverse stakeholders. Speaker after speaker lauded the cordial relations that existed between the contractors. Those who had been strict and keen on detail asked for forgiveness from those who felt harassed but again thanked them for their cooperation that led to a good building being the result.

The 850 Chania Building standing is a testimony of God’s faithfulness towards CMS-Africa. The chief guest, Prof. Timothy Wachira observed that the building is excellent and testifies to the excellent work of God’s creation. “Just like a human body has so many systems and parts working in harmony to keep the body moving, alive and healthy, so did the various teams working in cohesion and harmony to create the building,” asserted Prof Wachira. His prayer and wish was that the building enhances the purposes and missions of CMS-Africa and in so doing contribute to the bigger purpose of God to redeem mankind from the power of sin.
 

The 13-storey building comprising basement parking and a duplex level at the top floor, is a dream come true for CMS-Africa International Director Rev. Dr. Dennis Tongoi. Ten years ago, when he became the International Director of the now-autonomous CMS-Africa, he embarked on a vision of ensuring sustainability of mission work from Africa to the rest of the world.

The organisation had been given a gift of a piece of land in the prime area of Kilimani in Nairobi, just behind the prestigious Yaya Centre, one of Kenya’s first shopping malls. His desire was to develop it into a commercial building that could assure CMS-Africa of rental income for many years to come.
 

In 2012, CMS-Africa demolished the 2-storey residential building that had housed CMS-Africa offices for a few years and conducted a ground breaking ceremony that was led by the then Anglican Archbishop, Most Rev. Dr. Eliud Wabukala.

This was an act of faith in anticipation of finances to become available for the construction work. However, things were not to be as funds were delayed. Finally the work started in August 2016 when Truestone Impact Investment formed a partnership with CMS-Africa to develop the land.

Rev. Dr. Tongoi described the standing building as miracle that is a result of faith, belief and trust in God. Along the journey, some disbelieved, and others trusted with us that our God is able to do exceedingly, abundantly above all that we can imagine and ask. The fact that this particular project has succeeded will become a model for other Christian organisations like the Kenya Students Christian Fellowship, who want to use their real estate assets to generate income for their ministries.
 

Grant Smith from Bricken Kenya who was the liaison between CMS-Africa and Truestone said that their joy is to help Christian organizations develop projects that generate income for them. Throughout the project, Grant observed that there were a number of adjustments that looked problematic at first but later were used by God to be a blessing. An example of this was the demand from National Environmental Management Authority (NEMA) that the concrete structure be 6 metres from the river bank.

This led to a change in structural design that resulted in a better design and end product. We now have a grass garden and a terrace on 5th floor which provides additional floor spaces.

The 850 Chania Project engaged 16 interns under the apprenticeship programme of Bricken Kenya. Dan Maina, the project architect was full of gratitude to God Almighty for helping him to accomplish such a huge project.

Neil Sandy from Truestone Impact Investment (now Wellers Impact) said that the building that now stands tall is not about investments but the Kingdom of God. “The investors raised funds not just to make a profit but to advance God’s Kingdom,” said Neil who observed that the success of this project has led to the formation of another investment company going by the name, Weller’s Impact that is keen to help more Christian organisations make a lasting investment towards their future sustainability.
 

Neil commented the whole project team for upholding a NO Corruption approach throughout the project in a context where many commercial transactions are bedeviled with the vice. He thanked those who were involved in the project team for displaying great talent and expertise that has led to the end product being a magnificent building.

CMS-AFRICA is planning a partner’s event in October 2018 where all her partners and the people who have supported this project through the footprints campaign will be treated to a feast.