Nairobi, Kenya – The government of Kenya has distanced itself from the land dispute pitting Njiru residents and Kirima family.
This followed the court ruling that the land belongs to the Kirima family, giving embattled residents until December 31, 2023, to vacate.
What is government’s stand on Kirima land?
Lands Cabinet Secretary (CS) Alice Wahome said on Tuesday, November 21, that the government will not take part and that the court ruling is final.
Residents pleaded with the government to negotiate with the family to avoid looming eviction.
“My ministry has received a lot of inquiries 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. Before you put your money on the table to the owner of an alleged land owner, please verify with the land record, be warned,” said Wahome.
Who is the owner of Njiru land?
Land papers indicated that the said parcel is registered under Gerishon Kamau Kirima and John Gerishon Kirima.
“LR No 6825/2 is a subdivision of L.R. No 6825 (original number 42/2/2/9) which was originally 505 acres and registered in the name of Percy Evely Randall who bought the property from George William Shutt and Walter Thomas Shapley.
“The indenture was registered on July 23, 1929. On 4 February 1931. Percy Evely Randall transferred out 32.8 Acres to Bur Singh Ahluwalla which was LR. No 7086 (Original Number 6825/1),” the document reads in part, as quoted by Citizen Digital.
The documents noted that the property was mortgaged to National and Grindley, Bank on 11. April 1969 for KSh, 150,000.
East Africa Power and Lighting Company also registered three caveats for the grant of easement on January 11, 1966, September 28, 1966, and November 13, 1975.
L.R. No.5908/8 (original number 5908/5/3) measuring 507 acres was transferred to Gerishon Kamau Kirima and John Gerishon Kirima,’ by Domenico De Masi through a transfer registered on June 17, 1972.
A New Grant IR 98744 was issued to Gerishon Kamau Kirima and John Gerishon Kirima upon the expiry of the term in 2003. The new term was set for 99 years from September 1, 2023.
Kenyans evicted from disputed land in Athi River
The eviction notice came a month after residents of Mavoko in Athi River were evicted from the East Africa Portland Cement Company (EAPCC) land.
However, the Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC) argued that the evictions happened outside the law, without a court order.
The demolitions and evictions occurred four days after the court said EAPCC owned the disputed land without issuing any eviction orders, KHRC wrote.
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