State appeals Sh8b payout to two families in Eldoret

The Government will appeal an award of Sh8 billion to two families as compensation for an illegally acquired land.

The Environment and Lands Court in Eldoret made a ruling compelling State agencies to make the payment.

The Attorney General through State Counsel Joseph Ngumbi said the State was dissatisfied with the High Court decision.

"Take notice that the Attorney General on behalf of the Chief Land Registrar and the Office of the AG intends to appeal to the Court of Appeal against the decision of Justice A Ombwayo given at Eldoret on April," reads part of the notice filed.

In his ruling, Justice Ombwayo ordered Kenya Pipeline Ltd and Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) to pay the two families that reside in Uasin Gishu the amount for grabbing 1,150 acres from them 30 years ago.

The suit also compelled the National Lands Commission, Ministry of Lands and the Director of Survey to pay the costs.

The two families and three co-owners told the court that they bought 3,236 acres in 1977. Part of it was illegally sub-divided and allocated to several individuals and State agencies without their consent.

The families through lawyer Javan Kipnyekwei implicated powerful individuals in the past government in the illegal acquisition of their land.

Ombwayo awarded the estate of Thomas Kipkogei Yator (deceased) Sh3.8 billion for the loss of 546 acres. He also directed that the estate of William Kimngeny Leting (deceased) be paid Sh4.1 billion for the loss of 604 acres.