KANU to appeal ruling revoking its KICC land title

A view of the Kenyatta International Convention Center. [FILE, STANDARD]

Kenya African National Union party (KANU) has vowed to appeal a High Court ruling taking the disputed prime KICC land from its assets portfolio and effectively placing it in the hands of the government.

The decision issued by Justice Jacqueline Mogeni on June 3, brought to an end a four-year court battle that was rekindled in 2020 when KANU reintroduced the matter under the new constitution.

KANU Director of Communications Manasse Nyainda, says in a statement released shortly after the ruling that the party is in ‘total disagreement’ with the ruling.

“While we respect and appreciate the independence of the Judiciary as an arbiter in this matter, we wish to clearly state that we are in total disagreement with the judgment granting the ownership of the land to the Ministry of Tourism,” he said.

The party insists that it procedurally acquired the land the iconic KICC conference facility sits on under the previous constitutional dispensation making it the ‘legitimate and bona fide’ owner of the property.

According to Nyainda the political outfit will head to the appellate court in an attempt to regain ownership.

“The party has already instructed its legal team to file a notice of appeal with immediate effect as the party combs through the substance of the judgment to issue a comprehensive statement in due course,” reads part of the statement.

The KICC land was repossessed by the NARC government in 2003 through an executive order prompting party officials at the time to launch a protracted legal battle.

“The party swiftly moved to court with its officials then who included President William Ruto and Attorney General JB Muturi in their capacities as Secretary General and Organizing Secretary, respectively,” stated Nyainda.

KANU has expressed willingness to exploit all available legal avenues to settle the matter.