Blow to Kihika as court halts Sh500m Industrial Park

Nakuru Governor Susan Kihika. [Kipsang Joseph, Standard]

The Environment and Land Court has suspended plans by the county to construct a Sh500 million County Aggregation and Industrial Park (CAIP) in Njoro.

Justice Anthony Ombwayo issued temporary orders stopping the county government from acquiring a 640.6-hectare land belonging to Egerton University.

The judge ordered the county government to file its defence before the inter-party hearing on December 5.

"In the meantime, a conservatory order is issued stopping the acquirement of the land in dispute," ruled Justice Ombwayo.

The court issued the orders after a civil rights activist, Ezekiel Kisendanyi, filed a petition against the county government's plan.

Kisendanyi has sued the Nakuru County government, Egerton University, the National Land Commission, the Chief Land Registrar, the County Land Registrar, the Surveyor and the Attorney General.

In his petition, Kisendanyi, a resident of Kuresoi South, questioned the process of acquiring, annexing, alienating, and surveying the land for the project.

He termed the move by Governor Susan Kihika's administration unconstitutional.