Francis Mburu now wants Ksh.36 billion from government

Nairobi businessman Francis Mburu has filed a fresh suit demanding Ksh.36 billion as compensation over the disputed Ruaraka land which he claims the government took away from him.

In the case, Mburu, through his companies Afrison Export Import Limited and Huelands Limited, has sued the Nairobi City County, National Land Commission (NLC) and the Attorney General.

The tycoon wants the court to issue orders compelling the respondents to compensate him a sum of Ksh.23 billion which he says is the market value of the land and Ksh.13 billion for the loss of rental income, plus accrued interest.

He claims the Nairobi City County illegally obtained his property and several persons have already constructed  buildings on the land, with the Nairobi County now enjoying premiums, rents and land rates from his property.

Mburu accuses the Attorney General of failing to protect him in the alleged illegal acquisition of his property.

This comes two months after a three-judge ruled that the land commission misled government officials who approved payment of Ksh.1.5 billion to Mburu for the 13-acre land on which Ruaraka High School and Drive Inn Primary School.

In their ruling, judges Elijah Obaga, Benard Eboso and Kossy Bor said the payment made by the Ministry of Education was irregular, as the land in which the two public schools stand belongs to the State.

Mburu has since appealed the three-judge bench ruling and in the fresh case he says the Ksh.1.5 billion that was declared illegal should be reclaimed from the Ksh.36 billion he is now demanding, should he lose the appeal.