Ten people alleged to be members of Sowesava Self-help group and Soweto Jua kali have been charged afresh with malicious damage of the property of Gidjoy Investment Limited.
The accused persons include Benita Alando Nailanel, Peter Keya Owino, David Mutuku Makau, Kennedy Odhiambo Alex, Titus Ochieng Okoth, Boniface Oduor Anyiego, Calvince Ochieng Ooko, Patrobas Awino, Nick Omondi Owango and Philemon Otieno.
The accused persons were jointly charged before Principal Magistrate Peter Ooko after the charge sheets were consolidated.
The court heard that on 24th March 2018 at around 0100 hours at Donholm phase 8 in Embakasi East Sub-County within Nairobi County Jointly with others not before court, willfully and unlawfully damaged Gidjoy Investment perimeter wall fence valued at Sh 144,000.
They all denied the charges and were released on earlier set bail terms of Sh 20,000
The property which measures 25 acres is alleged to have been damaged by the accused persons is in the middle of a dispute with another party that is claiming ownership of the land.
In the suit property which is before a Nairobi court, Gidjoy has sued Zeropoint Construction Company Limited. However, Sowesava Self-help group is also alleged to seeking to be enjoined in the matter as interested parties. The group claims they are the original owners of the disputed land alleging to have been awarded to them in 1988.
One of the Group’s officials Alex Shihemi had once informed a local media that they have been chasing for the title deed of the land in order to claim full ownership but their efforts have been frustrated by a certain company allegedly associated with a bank executive using protection from powerful state officials.
Gidjoy claims to have bought the land from its original owners, Continental Developers. Several officials of the Self-help group have died under mysterious circumstances since the dispute started.
Since the dispute began, seven high court judges have arbitrated the case, offering a dimension that clearly proves that Sowesava are the legitimate owners.
Lands CEC Mr Odongo is also alleged to have written a letter to Mohammed Swazuri confirming that the land belongs to Sowesava as its bonafide owners on 2nd January 2016.
