• Residents of Njiru, Chokaa and Mihang’o areas in Nairobi are in distress following a judgment ordering them to vacate their homes
• The Environment and Land Court ordered that close to 1,000 acres of land is owned by the late politician Gerishon Kirima
• Each party in the suit has been directed to bear its own costs of the suits
Thousands of residents of Njiru, Chokaa and Mihang’o areas in Nairobi are in distress following a judgment by the Environment and Land Court ordering them out of close to 1,000 acres of land owned by the late politician Gerishon Kirima who passed on in December 2010.
The late Gerishon Kirima.
Photo courtesy; Twitter.
Justice S. Okong’o ordered those occupying the over 970 acres of land to vacate or be evicted from the property by Kirima Estate administrators before 31st December. The judgment was a culmination of a long protracted court battle between the administrators and residents who some acquired the property through self-help groups.
The judgment delivered on Monday consolidated all the six cases that had been filed in relation to the ownership of the parcels of land. The court declared the late Gerishon Kirima as the registered owner of the parcels of land.
In a case filed by Kamatuto Self Help Group on behalf of 1,310 others the court dismissed their case saying they have no valid claim over L.R No. 5908/8. The group has also been ordered to vacate the land by December 31st or face eviction.
In a case filed by John Otieno Obade on his own behalf and on behalf of 299 others who had moved to court seeking to be recognised as the rightful owners of 60 acres parcel of land in Kirima Njiru Farm, Justice Okong’o said they have no valid claim over the land and should vacate by December 31st failure to which Kirima estate are at liberty to evict them.
The same directions apply to a suit filed by the Naridai Muoroto Self Help Group who the court says have no valid claim over the same piece of land claimed by the Kamatuto Self Help Group.
However, the court in a case filed by Paul Ndungu Kioi who told the court he had bought the land from the late Kirima, Justice Okong’o directed that the administrators of Kirima estate, Teresia Wairimu Kirima and Anne Wangari Kirima, complete the sale of portions of L.R No. 5908/8 known as 5908/679, 5908/680 and 5908/681.
Others who were involved in the suit and who have evidence of payment for the said plots have been directed to present receipts issued by Kirima or Embakasi Ring Road Developers.
The verdict came as a shocker to residents who have pledged to cooperate with the family to resolve the issue and save their homes.
Each party has been directed to bear its own costs of the suits.
