Envoy to UN Habitat Sam Ongeri stops Ombudsman from acting on report

Kenya's envoy to UN Habitat Sam Ongeri has obtained temporary orders stopping the National Land Commission from acting on a damning report released by the Commission on Administrative Justice (Ombudsman) on illegal land acquisition in Kisii County.

Prof Ongeri was issued with temporary orders in which the NLC and Ombudsman were asked not to take any action against him until the matter, which is before High Court Judge George Odunga, is heard and determined.

"To avoid any precipitate action, the respondents should hold their horses until the case before this court is heard and determined," Justice Odunga said.

Odunga also ordered that there should be no arrests relating to the land.

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

Ongeri said he was not afforded a chance to respond to the allegations before they were published, adding that 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," he said.