The High Court has provided temporary relief to occupants of the land belonging to the estate of late politician Gerishon Kirima after issuing orders stopping their impending eviction until January 29.
Justice Anne Omollo of the Environment and Land Court in Nairobi on Wednesday directed that residents occupying the property should not be evicted until January 29 when the court will issue further orders.
The directive came after Joseph Omito and another 680 residents moved to court seeking injunction orders against their impending eviction.
Justice Samuel Okong'o had last month delivered a judgment in which the disputed property was declared to belong to the estate of Kirima.
The judge said the administrators of the estate were at liberty to evict those occupying the parcel by December 31, 2023.
That judgment left thousands of occupants at the mercy of the Kirima's with the family of the former Nairobi politician already pushing to have the occupants pay for the parcels they own and be evicted.
Omito and his colleagues moved to court through lawyer Seth Ojienda seeking orders to stop the evictions even as they negotiated with the Kirima's.
Justice Anne Omollo on Wednesday said their application will be heard by way of written submissions on January 29 and issued orders staying the status quo until then.
"In the interim, orders are hereby issued against evicting or in any manner interfering with occupation until January 29 when further orders will be given," Justice Omollo said.
"Parties are free to engage in out-of-court negotiations."
