Reprieve For Residents Of Disputed Njiru Land As Court Stops Planned Eviction
Occupants of the controversial Gerishon Kirima land in East Riverside Drive, Njiru, can now breathe a sigh of relief after the High Court issued orders stopping their impending eviction.
Justice Anne Omollo of the Environment and Land Court on Wednesday directed that residents occupying the property should not be evicted until January 29, 2024, when the court will issue further orders.
This comes after the Ministry of Lands’ declaration on Tuesday asserting that records unequivocally confirm that the title deed for the contentious piece of land belongs to the Kirima family.
Justice Omollo’s directive comes after Joseph Omito and another 680 residents moved to court seeking injunction orders against their impending eviction.
At the same time, Members of the Parliament representing the residents of Embakasi East and Kasarani have strongly criticized the statement by Lands Cabinet Secretary Alice Wahome.
The legislators, Babu Owino and Ronald Karauri termed the statement as demeaning and reckless.
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“The statement by CS Alice Wahome is not only demeaning, utterly embarrassing, lacks substance, and is a total insult to the intelligence of the people of Kenya…the CS has not even bothered to consider that the appeal will have outcome irrespective of who it favors,” said Babu.
Karauri, on his part, added: “I want to remind the Cabinet Secretary that as an officer of the State, to tell the people who live in our constituencies that they’re on their own, is a very unfortunate statement. I want to remind her that even in our Constitution, Article 21 provides that it is a fundamental duty of the State to uphold respect, and fulfill the rights and fundamental freedoms of all the citizens of Kenya.”
The legislators have urged the residents to remain calm as they pursue the matter to its legal conclusion.
Babu stated: “We have the orders and we want to tell our people to be calm, do not panic, this is just but a storm in a cup of tea.”
The Environment and Lands Court said the application by the residents will be heard by way of written submissions on January 29 next year, but until then, the status quo remains.
Reprieve For Residents Of Disputed Njiru Land As Court Stops Planned Eviction