Jonathan Manyindo
26 April 2008
Nairobi — A former MP whose land was taken by the Government to settle squatters says he is taking the matter to the International Court of Justice.
Mr Basil Criticos accuses the Government of acquiring his 15,000 acres last year irregularly.
"The Government ignored court orders stopping the takeover," the former Taveta MP said by telephone from Brussels on Friday. He said he was on his way to brief lawyers.
The Government bought the farm from National Bank of Kenya at Sh55 million after Mr Criticos failed to service a Sh20 million loan. But the former MP says he had been ready to buy the land back from the bank for Sh63 million, accrued interest included.
The subdivision of the land by Government surveyors has stalled after they discovered that part of it had already been sold to individuals.
Title deeds
At least 5,000 acres cannot be accounted for and are said to have been sold by either Mr Criticos or the bank.
A former Taveta MP, Mr Jackson Mwalulu, is one of those who say they bought plots from Mr Criticos in 1990 but are yet to get title deeds.
The matter, according to sources in the Lands ministry, has been referred to the permanent secretary.
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