In the midst of an extended dispute concerning land ownership in Njiru, residents and the family of the late tycoon Gerishon Kirima are encouraged to persist in negotiations while awaiting a verdict from the Court of Appeal.
The conflict, involving numerous homeowners, has elicited a directive from three appellate court judges, namely Justices Mohammed Warsame, Gatembu Kairu, and Jessie Lesiit.
The judges, in instructing the parties to maintain the existing state of affairs, clarified that the directive does not impede ongoing transactions and negotiations between the concerned parties.
Emphasizing a collaborative approach, the judges urged the parties to avoid adopting inflexible positions, acknowledging that some issues may be more suitably resolved through negotiations rather than court intervention.
Justice Warsame remarked, “Some of the issues raised are not matters to be resolved by the court but are issues you can resolve.” The court mandated that the appeal be accorded priority status for a hearing, underscoring the importance of promptly addressing the matter.
Various groups of squatters and homeowners, such as the Nardai Muoroto Self-Help Group, Kamatuto Self-Help Group, and Queenspark Court-Tawala Owners Residents Association, turned to the Court of Appeal after facing defeat in their legal battle against the Kirima family last year.
In a ruling, Justice Samson Okong’o of the Environment and Land Court had set a deadline of December 31, 2023, for the homeowners to vacate the land or face forced eviction.
In response to the court’s decision, the homeowners obtained temporary orders that halted their eviction, enabling them to engage in negotiations with the Kirima family. Throughout the negotiations, the Kirima estate has expressed willingness to consider payment requests within specific periods, citing financial challenges.
The Kirima family, in a statement, reiterated their commitment to navigating the process amicably, granting legitimate ownership to current occupants while seeking a conclusive resolution to the longstanding matter.
The Court of Appeal’s involvement signifies a crucial phase in the dispute, with both parties awaiting a final determination on the contentious land ownership issue in Njiru.
