The High Court has ruled that the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) belongs to the Government of Kenya, dismissing a petition by the Kenya African National Union (KANU) party that sought to be declared its owner.
In a ruling delivered on Monday, Judge Jackline Mogenyi stated that the Commissioner of Lands in 1989 had no authority to alienate the land to KANU. “The suit property as registered in the name of the Permanent Secretary under the Ministry of Tourism is appropriate,” the court ruled.
The court also revoked the title deed issued in the name of KANU, noting that the allocation to KANU without following due process was illegal and unconstitutional. “A declaration that the Ministry of Tourism is the lawful owner of the land and KANU registration is unlawful, illegal, and unconstitutional,” the court declared.
KANU has long claimed ownership of the property, listing it among its assets in filings to the Registrar of Political Parties. The property was considered to be under KANU’s ownership until President Mwai Kibaki’s government reclaimed it in 2003.
Currently, KICC is among the properties slated for privatization.
