The Environment Court has halted the government’s plans to seize 338 acres of Kenyatta University land for a proposed World Health Organization (WHO) base and squatter settlement.
Justice Oscar Angote issued the orders on Friday, pending the hearing and determination of the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) suit challenging the government’s plans to annex the land.
“That, pending the hearing and determination of this application by the parties, this Honorable Court be pleased to issue orders restraining all of the Respondents, their agents, successors, and assigns, and/or issuing an order staying the implementation of the directives contained in the letters dated July 4th, 2022 and July 7th, 2022and or any interference with said ownership and possession of the parcel of land known as Land Reference No. 11026/2,” Justice Angote ruled.
Among the six respondents named in the case are the National Lands Commission (NLC) and Lands Cabinet Secretary Farida Karoney.
Professor Paul Wainanina, the institution’s former Vice Chancellor, is listed as an interested party in the case.
In his decision, Justice Angote asked: “Wainaina, his agents, successors, and assigns to refrain from surrendering the title documents to the parcel of land.”
He also issued orders “restraining all respondents, their agents, successors, and assigns from harassing any employee, official, agent, or representative of Kenyatta University in the course of carrying out the directives.”
Justice Angote designated the matter as urgent and set the hearing date for July 27, 2022.
In his ruling, Justice Angote also issued orders prohibiting all respondents, their agents, successors, and assigns from harassing any employee, official, agent, or representative of Kenyatta University in carrying out the government’s directives.
The World Health Organization (WHO) would receive 30 acres, the Africa Centre for Disease Control (10 acres), and the Kenyatta University Teaching, Referral, and Research Hospital (10 acres) (108 acres).
