A Nakuru Court on Tuesday declined to stop the eviction of more than 30,000 squatters from a piece of land in Mai Mahiu.
Environment and Lands Court judge Dalmas Ohungo, made the ruling following an application by the squatters who moved to court seeking to stop their eviction.
In their application, the squatters claimed ownership of the land, saying they have been living on the Kedong ranch in Nakuru County since time immemorial.
They wanted the court to issue orders stopping construction of the Inland Container Depot (ICD), and the construction of the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR), that will pass through the ranch to the dry port.
The community through lawyer Thomas Letangule told the court that the squatters will suffer since they have nowhere to go if they are forced to leave the ranch.
“That Kenya Railways Corporation be restrained from evicting the petitioners or in any way deal with the suit land in a way that is detrimental to the petitioners,” reads the application as quoted by Standard.
Justice Ohungo who certified the case as urgent said it would be improper for the court to stop the planned eviction by issuing temporary orders.
“The petitioners are to serve the respondents with the petition. The case will come up for an inter parties hearing on November 26,” said the judge.