Swazuri wants court to stop Ruaraka land proceedings

The National Land Commission (NLC) has filed a case seeking orders staying any civil or criminal proceedings in respect of any of the processes touching on the compulsory acquisition of the Ruaraka land.

The commission says it is invoking the jurisdiction of the Court under Section 127 and 128 to determine the validity of the title to the said suit property.

In an affidavit, NLC Chair Muhammad Swazuri urged the court to hear the reference as a matter of priority to enable the commission get the way forward on how to proceed with the compulsory acquisition.

NLC argues that there are several bodies that have commenced investigations into the acquisition of the Ruaraka land, including the National Assembly’s Lands Committee that has compiled a report labeling the acquisition as illegal and an unnecessary decoy for loss of public funds.

The Ruaraka land saga has come under heavy scrutiny with businessman Francis Mburu claiming he owns it while Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko insisting it is public land.

A Nairobi court previously declined to issue orders barring the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) from further interrogating the tycoon over the saga.

Mr. Mburu had moved to court seeking protection from the EACC, accusing the commission of harassment.