Economy

USIU now accuses property developer of grabbing its land

usiu

USIU-A vice chancellor Tiyambe Zeleza. FILE PHOTO | NMG

The United States International University-Africa (USIU-A) has accused a property developer of grabbing its piece of land along Thika Road that is also the centre of a court battle between the businessman and security firm Riley Services Limited.

The university claims that it is the legitimate owner of the eight-acre piece of land worth Sh500 million which businessman George Kiongera insists he bought from former president Daniel arap Moi last month.

Dr Kiongera has sued Riley Services Limited for allegedly trying to grab the land, and has obtained a temporary court order barring the firm from interfering with his occupation.

Dr Kiongera says he bought the land through Maestro Connections Health Systems Limited, a firm he owns alongside his wife Elizabeth.

But USIU-A vice chancellor Tiyambe Zeleza says the university is the registered owner of the land, and that it has already recorded a complaint at the Kasarani police station following Maestro’s occupation.

Prof Zeleza added that the university will hold a peaceful demonstration to protest the alleged grabbing of its land. He said the decision to hold the demonstration was arrived at after the management board held a meeting with police at Muthaiga and Kasarani police stations.

“After holding a crisis meeting, the entire management board visited both the Muthaiga and Kasarani police stations as a follow up on the complaints that had been lodged. The visit did not yield any fruit.

Accordingly, the management board has resolved to hold a peaceful demonstration on Wednesday July 13,” Prof Zeleza said in a statement.

“In the meantime, we have instructed external counsel to expeditiously pursue all legal avenues available to secure the university’s interests,” he added.

Dr Kiongera in his suit against Riley has attached the sale agreement between him and former president Moi.

The sale agreement dated June 3, 2016 contains a signature from the former president acknowledging the sale of the land to Maestro Connections Health Systems Limited.