Kenya's envoy to UN Habitat Sam Ongeri sues Ombudsman over land grabbing claims

Kenya's envoy to UN Habitat Sam Ongeri has moved to court to have a damning report released by the Ombudsman on illegal land acquisition in Kisii quashed.

In a case filed under a certificate of urgency yesterday, Prof Ongeri complained that the Ombudsman's report had tainted his name and could be used to condemn and remove him from office.

He said there were possibilities that people would demand he relinquishes his current office and also be barred from future appointments over the alleged abuse of office.

Ongeri, in the petition before High Court judge George Odunga, said he was not afforded a chance to respond to the allegations before they were published, adding the same land issue had been in court for determination in Kisii.

"My appointment as an ambassador stands to be challenged in court and jeopardised by the adverse findings in the aforementioned report which was compiled and published unlawfully and without due process of law. The adverse findings on my alleged abuse of office captured in the report are likely to impair any future appointment to public office bestowed upon me," Ongeri said.

In the petition filed by his lawyer Paul David Kalii, Ongeri refuted claims that he had acquired the land illegally, saying he had procured it through valid means. He wants the court to quash the report and also bar the Commission on Administration of Justice and any action with regards to the contested piece of land until the matter before the court is settled.