Magistrate visits land claimed by NMG and squatters

Machakos High Court Deputy Registrar Kenei Kipchumba (second right) visits the land claimed by NMG and squatters in Katani, Machakos County, on May 17, 2018. PHOTO | JEFF ANGOTE | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • NMG says that it bought the piece of land in 2012 from Ziba Trustees Limited.
  • The magistrate will present her findings to the court on May 24 when the case is set for a full hearing.

The Machakos High Court deputy registrar on Thursday visited land claimed by both Nation Media Group (NMG) retirement benefits scheme and a group of squatters.

Magistrate K. Kenei, flanked by police officers and the parties to the dispute, toured the settlement scheme at Katani in Mavoko, Machakos County, as had been directed by the Machakos Environment and Land Court.

The land has for the past three months been invaded by armed youth.

The squatters, under the name Ngelani Pioneer Society, in their sworn statement dated March 1, claim that they have been living on the land for close to 25 years and have constructed structures among them churches, schools and roads.

Mr Urbanus Mativa, the group’s spokesperson, claimed that they were victims of attack.

NMG, in a sworn affidavit, says that it bought the piece of land in 2012 from Ziba Trustees Limited to the tune of Sh440 million for their retirement benefits scheme.

The magistrate will present her findings to the court on May 24 when the case is set for a full hearing.