NYANDARUA, Kenya, June 24 – At least 174 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) who fled their homes,after violence broke out in the Rift Valley region during the contested 2007 presidential election, years later, they do not have a place to call their home.
Despite the victims resettling on the vast 523-acre Muhu farm in Nyandarua county, a court application filed by the Muhu Holdings Limited is now seeking their eviction following the unprocedural settlement.
It was expected the government would acquire a section of the land, enabling the PEV victims to have a new home.
This however is yet to happen.
The application was filed at the Nyahururu Environment and Lands Court before Judge Yuanis Agima on Wednesday.
An affidavit from the company’s director Waithera Muhu, revealed that despite a determination and ruling of the matter pending in court, the victims, forcibly occupied the land and subsequently subdivided it.
Waithera said that they have been denied access to the parcel of land despite being the rightful owners.
Muhu Holding Limited lawyer, Joseph Kahari, had successfully obtained orders in January 25, barring the defendants from interfering or dealing with the suit property until the matter was fully heard and determined.
According to Kahari, despite the defendant having been served with the orders, they failed to enter appearance in the matter and went ahead to occupy the land thus, “undermined the dignity of the court bringing it into disrepute.”
”The company is seeking a declaration that the court finds that they are entitled to exclusive and unimpeded right of possession insisting that they have never sold the property to any party and that the defendants are trespassers.”
Mirangine Deputy County Commissioner Joseph Kimutai while in court informed Justice Agima confirmed that the parcel in question was private land adding that his office was unaware of any transfers.
The matter is set to be mentioned on October, 7, 2021.
Want to send us a story? Contact Shahidi News Tel: +254115512797 (Mobile & WhatsApp)
