Kirima land row: Section of family dismiss negotiations with Gov't, want Sonko as champion

A section of the Kirima family has distanced itself with reported negotiation between the estate administrators, leaders and residents illegally on the 1000-acre piece of land belonging to the late politician Gerishon Kirima.

Bishop Gathoni Kirima on Saturday said that the apparent negotiations led by her sister Teresia Kirima have not been sanctioned by all the 15 beneficiaries of the estate, adding that she was putting the cart before the horse.

The family is seeking former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko as their champion on the political front.

“The administrators Teresia Wairimu and Anne Kirima are not acting on behalf of or not mandated to negotiate on behalf of the beneficiaries because the court has already distributed the property to all beneficiaries, and there are adults who are very capable of negotiating on their own behalf,” said Bishop Gathoni.

Gathoni stated that the family intends to conduct a land survey to establish the worth of the piece of land, adding that they seek compensation from those illegally settled there on current market price.

“These are people's lives we are talking about but at the same breath it is our inheritance, that’s why we need to resort to a win-win situation after establishing who is on the ground and who has started the process of purchase for us to conclude,” she added.

Further Gathoni, through lawyer Evans Ondieki, stated that the family is also open to a political avenue of championing its rights.

“They have decided to appoint a champion for their interest…the champion is Mike Sonko, he has been successful in Waitiki, South B and another Kirima property in Parklands,” stated Ondieki.

The situation in Njiru and Mihang’o areas stems from a close to 10-year legal battle. 

The Environment and Lands court sitting in Kisumu ruled that the land belongs to the late politician, directing all residents to vacate the property by December 31 this year in the absence of an amicable solution.