Court halts construction of Sh52m governor’s mansion

Eldoret High Court has issued an injunction stopping the construction of a Sh52 million Elgeyo Marakwet governor’s mansion at Kamariny after a petition by two residents.

Justice A. Ombwayo on Tuesday issued a conservatory order of injunction restraining the County Government of Elgeyo Marakwet from constructing the residence until a suit by Kiplagat Kimaiyo and Kiplimo Lemiso is heard and determined.

The judge stated that the construction of the governor’s mansion on public land impeaches the fundamental rights and freedoms stipulated under the Constitution.

Justice Ombwayo also certified the suit as urgent and ordered that it be heard on 29th of October.

Last month, the petitioners moved to court after a decision by the MCAs to throw away the House Committee report that had recommended termination of the project over irregularities.

The Kamariny residents claimed that the site where the house is to be constructed is a cultural shrine where boys are circumcised and is also home to valued wildlife as well as the training ground for athletes.

On September 30^th, residents, county government officials and ward reps convened a meeting to discuss the land under which the construction was taking place and resolved not to allow the governor to intrude into public land for his personal gains.

It also emerged that the County government erred by approving the construction of the house at the stadium without consulting the public as required by the law.

Speaking in defence of the decision to use the land, the county finance executive, Shadrack Chelimo, said the regional government had failed to secure land at Iten Town on which to build the house despite advertising in the dailies.

“We had allocated Sh5 million to buy land for the governor’s residence and Sh15 million for the construction,” said Mr Chelimo.