Pipeline residents turn to Court of Appeal in 63-acre land dispute
A drone shot of the disputed land in Pipeline.
Members of Nakuru Workers Housing Cooperative Society in Pipeline estate have now turned to the Court of Appeal, after they were dissatisfied by a high court ruling on March 14th this year.
In the ruling, Justice Ombwayo Anthony found Nakuru Workers Housing Cooperative Society in breach of a sale agreement with Thuo Commercial Agencies.
If effected, the 421 families living on this parcel of land would have been evicted in 90 days.
Speaking to Muthoni Gathecha, the advocate representing the Nakuru Workers Housing Cooperative Society members says an application was made to the Court of Appeal for a stay order.
“We took our application, submissions and responses to the court and were told to wait for a hearing date from the court of appeal. We are hoping to be given a date in September. As of now, members of the Nakuru Workers Housing Cooperative Society are still on the parcel of land and no evictions have taken place” she says.
Mohammed Noor, one of those affected says he hopes for a positive outcome.
“As of now, there is tension among many of the residents who live here. We do not know what will happen but we hope that that stay order will come through,” he notes.
Mr. Noor reveals that they are ready to get into an agreement with Thuo Commercial Agencies that would see a win-win for both parties.
Mr. Peter Ndung’u, chairman of Nakuru Workers Housing Cooperative Society says that getting into an agreement with Thuo Commercial Agencies is an option, but only once they get the stay order from the court.
“If we go to the table to negotiate any sort of deal without the court order, then we would be at a loss in the event we don’t reach an agreement. I would therefore like to urge our members to wait till we have the stay order,” he says.
On April 19, 2024, the Nakuru Workers Housing Cooperative Society members held peaceful protests in Nakuru city which culminated at the Governor’s Office, where they handed their petition to the County Secretary Dr Samuel Mwaura.