A court has barred Kiambu County from processing development plans for three parcels of public land in Redhill Limuru following an ownership dispute pitting the residents against trustees and officials of the Young Mens’ Christian Association (YMCA).
The dispute concerns the planned sale and development of a housing project.
Asking the court to stop the planned developments, the residents told the Environment and Land Court judge Jacqueline Mogeni that Mortgage-listed lender Housing Finance has been commissioned by YMCA trustees and officials as the selling agent for the sub-divided plots where YMCA Technical College is situated.
They said the parcels of land measuring 67 acres belong to the YMCA Technical and Vocational Training Institute and Limuru Boys Centre.
“The lands were acquired by well-wishers and conceptualised and designated as a public utility land registered under the trusteeship for the furtherance of public interest by providing a centre for training children from disadvantaged backgrounds by equipping them with requisite agricultural and technical skills.
“In furtherance of the stated objective, the Limuru Boys Centre was established in line with the well-known Starehe School in Nairobi.
“The school has since been renamed YMCA Technical and Vocational Institute,” the residents told the court.
They sued under the auspices of the Kentmere Residents Association contending that there was no adequate or genuine public participation before the sub-division and commissioning of the planned residential housing project.
The three parcels of land are registered as LR 154/33, LR No154/34 and LR154/36 located within the Kentmere Tigoni area of Kiambu County.
Justice Mogeni issued the interim order restraining the processing of deed plans, conveyances, transfers, leases or any dealings whatsoever touching on the land or any portion of it until further orders of the court.
