The Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) triumph over a case win against Mlolongo Association and Uungani Settlement Scheme over a Sh20 billion public land belonging to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.
The 16-year-old case of the 200 hectares property was filed in 2004 before Environment and Land Court.
Justice S Okong’o ruled that the KAA was the rightful owner and found that the title of land registration number 21919 presented to court was valid.
“…and that letters of allotment and titles produced by the Uungani Settlement Scheme and Mlolongo Association in support of their claim over 200 hectares were fake. It is surprising that Uungani could be allocated land that was already surveyed and included as part of LR No 21919,” said Okong’o.
Okong’o observed that it was clear from the submissions that the purported allotment letter issued to Uungani was connected with several illegalities and irregularities.
He said the land that was allocated to the association was acquired by the government for the development of the JKIA.
Additionally, he said that he was not in agreement with the defendants who had argued that once the land was acquired by the government for use by JKIA, the State after giving a portion of it to JKIA for its immediate use could allocate the remainder to private developers.
In 2019, National Lands Commission’s Annex Bishop offices, land commissioners were shocked to learn KAA had lost 11,551 acres of JKIA land.
Some parcels are on flight paths.
KAA in the documents said the officials of Mlolongo Brothers Association, Peter Muinde Mbiti (chairperson), Agnes Njeri (vice chairperson), James Njoroge Murigi, Solomon Mwau, Stephen Mwania, Dominic Katua misrepresented the public.
KAA said the association told the public that it owned LR No 24937 and was in the process of subdividing it for allocation to its members.
Following the announcement that the parcel was up for sale, several people expressed interest.
The association in its constitution and rules states that its objects are to assist members pay for funeral expenses, hospital bills and wedding s.
The association with1,642 members said its objectives are to start income-generating activities and educate members on poverty eradication, and HIV-Aid awareness.
KAA provides services such as check-in guidelines, passport control, immigration, visas and security regulations. It has a presence at JKIA, Kisumu, Eldoret and Moi international airports and Wilson Airport.
During the hearing, KAA said allocations were made “on top of their existing title” and they are illegal.
In total, 118 parcels were under probe by NLC.