On March 14, 2024, Justice Ombwayo Anthony delivered a damning verdict on the 63 acres of land in Pipeline.

The judge found the Nakuru Workers Housing Cooperative Society in breach of the sale agreement with Thuo Commercial Agencies.

As a result, the more than 421 families have been ordered to vacate the 63-acre land within 90 days.

The residents, who are at risk of losing their homes, were unhappy with the verdict and held peaceful protests on Friday,

culminating at the Governor's office where they handed over their petition to the District Secretary seeking his intervention in the matter.

The petition, prepared by Ezekiel Kamau, one of the affected pipeline residents, highlighted a number of key issues, some of which they believe prove that they are the rightful owners of the land.

Pipeline residents march to the governor's office to seek help ahead of their eviction

According to Mr Kamau, all monies were paid on time through the cooperative's lawyer, a sale and purchase agreement was drawn up and its contents made public, and finally all receipts of all payments made to Thuo Commercial Agencies were presented in court.

"In 1992, balloting was done which showed that the Sacco had no debts. Silvester Muhia, acting as joint counsel for both parties, confirmed in court that payment had been made in full. Mr Muhia joint (advocate) received all the monies from the Nakuru Workers Cooperative and testified in court," said Mr Kamau.

The title deed for the land was never presented to the buyer by Thuo Commercial Agencies even after receiving a final payment of Sh700,000 and it is Thuo Commercial Agencies and Muhia Joint (Advocate) who breached the contract and not Nakuru Workers Cooperative Society.

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"The judgment was virtually read and delivered on 13/03/2024 when the judge was expected to deliver the judgment on the 14th which means it was delivered a day before the stipulated date, this shows that there was collusion between the judge and the vendor who is Thuo Commercial Agencies," he said.

The matter appears to have taken a turn for the worst, with at least 10 people believed to have lost their lives since the verdict was handed down, and residents now living in fear, believing that in their pursuit of justice, they may be killed.

"We know that there are powerful people behind this whole saga who would not hesitate to take a life, at the moment we are living in fear as we continue with our quest for justice. We would like to urge the security agencies to come to our aid and provide us with security. We have also presented our petition to the governor so that she can hear our cries and come to our rescue and find a way to protect our homes," said Kaka James, another Pipeline resident.

They have also petitioned the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) to intervene and review the judgement as they feel justice has not been done and they are in danger of losing the places they have called home for more than 20 years.

Pipeline residents turn to Court of Appeal in 63-acre land dispute

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Bret Sanya