This archive report was first published on 27 September 2019.
Published on September 27, 2019, a Kakamega Environment and Lands Court Judge, Nelly Matheka, ruled that the County Government of Kakamega forcibly took possession of a half-acre parcel of land from Justice Sila Munyao and his wife, Linda Chepkorir Ruto, without compensation.
The land, located in the Central Business District (CBD) and adjacent to Bukhungu Stadium, was valued at Sh42.9 million. The couple had bought the leasehold title for the land on November 22, 2011, and continued to pay land rates even after it was encroached by the county government.
Justice Matheka noted that the county government contravened the Constitution and the Fair Administrative Actions Act with actions that amount to forcible eviction and denying the couple the right to own property.
The court ordered the county government to pay the couple Sh40.5 million in compensation, Sh2.4 million as costs for erecting a perimeter wall, and Sh60,000 in special damages.
