Fruit maker seeks to stop NLC from hearing historical land dispute
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But Regeru argued that the commission had no jurisdiction to hear the dispute given that the matter had been settled in court. He argued that evicting the company would cause losses to the economy. “In 2018 alone, the company paid in excess of Sh1 billion in various taxes to the Exchequer and will pay even more in 2019. Further, by virtue of its export sales, they earned the country more than Sh10 billion in foreign exchange, which is now at risk of being lost.” Regeru noted that the company had built houses, schools, health centres as well as employing over 7,000 people. Separately, the Environment and Lands Court in Murang’a was on Monday told that talks on the Del Monte land case had collapsed. Lawyer Josphat Kimwere for the Murang’a Government told Justice Grace Kemei that the mediation process failed to kick-off on December 20 last year after the NLC pulled out.SEE ALSO :Land companies, state officials accused of abetting land fraud
Justice Kemei ruled that the matter will be mentioned on March 19, where all parties are expected to appear for fresh directions. An application by the Kandara residents association to engage in an out-of-court settlement was allowed on condition that the judge be notified on the progress made.