The Kirima land tussle took a new twist on Tuesday, November 21 another after Lands Cabinet Secretary Alice Wahome declared that the government would not intervene in the protracted dispute between Njiru residents and the family of late billionaire and politician Gerishon Kirima.
Speaking to the press on Tuesday, November 21, the CS who was in company of the Kirima family members noted that the legal documents presented confirmed the Kirima family was the owner of the disputed 1,000 acres.
Further, CS Wahome insisted the residents should vacate the disputed land by December 31 in compliance with the Court order.
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“As a ministry, we have received a lot of enquiries on if we can buy the land or settle people in the land. We have no such plans, the land belongs to Kirima and the government has no claim on that land or say in the matter,” said Wahome.
On the other hand, Wahome cautioned potential buyers or investors to verify land ownership through official land records before engaging in any transactions.
“Before you put your money on the table to the owner of an alleged land, please verify with the lands record, be warned,” said Wahome.
The government’s firm position dashed the hopes of the occupants of the land, after the state earlier signaled a possibility of striking a deal with the Kirima family.
Disputed 1000 acres Kirima Land
CS Wahome’s remarks came on the backdrop of a petition filed at the High Court by residents seeking to suspend an eviction order.
On Monday, November 20, Judge Anne Omollo from the Employment and Lands Court made a decision not to halt the December 31 demolition order.
Additionally, the judge rejected a plea from Demico De Masi’s son, who claimed ownership of the land as the descendant of an Italian settler and sought to be included as an interested party in the legal proceedings.
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Likewise, the Lands Ministry has insisted that Demico’s father sold the land to Kirima long time ago, dismissing the plea.
“The person called Domico, that is the person who transferred the land, and the land was registered in the name of Kirima and John on the 17th of June 1972,” stated Wahome.
Contrary to Lands CS, the residents argued that the Kirima family had unlawfully taken possession of the property, contending that the land rightfully belonged to Demico.
Additionally, Wahome while acknowledging the judge’s ordered all unauthorized occupants to leave the property, cautioning that failure to comply with the order would lead to their forceful eviction by the beneficiaries of the Kirima estate.
Meanwhile, as the members of the fourth estate shot questions to the Kirima family, the CS quickly interjected, blocking them from fielding any question.
“No, the family, this is our press briefing. The family will not be answering questions today,” Wahome interjected.
