Court applies breaks on Sh2.5 billion Meru Rising Tower project

Governor Peter Munya

MERU: The local government suffered a major setback after it was stopped from constructing a 15-storey commercial building.

The Sh2.5 billion Meru Rising Tower is among Governor Peter Munya's flagship projects, and got a Sh1 billion investment pledge from a pension fund last year.

But Justice Francis Gikonyo said 11 residents, who want the project stopped citing lack of public participation, had an arguable case.
The petitioners were given 14-days to fully launch their case.

The tower was set to be built on public land in an estate within Meru town. Boniface Koome, one of the petitioners, claims that Mr Munya and Lands, Physical Planning and ICT Secretary Martin Bikuri conspired to put up the building on public land without proper consultations.

They accused the two of violating the County Government Act by unconstitutionally initiating key projects without consulting the public.

Kiogora Mugambi, for the petitioners, asked Justice Gikonyo to issue orders restricting the respondents from starting construction in the estate where tenants had already been evicted and structures demolished, until the application is heard and determined.

The petitioners also claim the project was not approved by the county assembly and is not factored in the county development blueprint - Meru Integrated Development Plan 2013-2017. They also claimed that county officials were sourcing for funds without legal approval.