Eldoret Land and Environment Court Judge Anthony Ombwayo [Photo/businesstoday.co.ke]
The National Lands Commission (NLC) has been ordered to begin the process of issuing title deeds to hundreds of Langas estate landowners in the outskirts of Eldoret Town.
This comes following the conclusion of a case in which two families that claimed ownership of the over 1,000-acre piece of land sought orders to have its occupants evicted.
In a ruling delivered on Friday, the Eldoret Land and Environment Court Judge Anthony Ombwayo further ordered the government to pay the landowner Sh4.2 billion compensation.
The Judge noted that the government contributed to illegal acquisition and subdivision of the land to the residents.
He, however, declined to issue orders for the eviction of the over 100,000 locals who are currently residing in the land that covers part of Eldoret Town.
"The court noted that the government acquired the land from the family but it did not pay and this is why it has ordered that Sh4.2 billion be paid to the families as compensation," Langas residents’ lawyer Javan Kipngekwei told journalists outside the court.
"Orders for eviction were also declined as the judge pointed out that subdivision of land has already been done and the best way for both parties to remain happy is for locals to be given title deeds and the owner compensated," he added.
A section of Langas estate residents who were in court welcomed the decision, saying justice had finally been served.
"We are happy that despite the case taking a long time, we've finally received justice," said one of the residents.