Ruto Ally Irungu Kang’ata Turns Foe Over Weston Hotel Land

DP William Ruto (left) and Weston Hotel building along Lang'ata Road Nairobi.
DP William Ruto (left) and Weston Hotel building along Lang'ata Road Nairobi.
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Deputy President William Ruto has suffered yet another blow in the bid to save his Weston Hotel from demolition and stop the court case instituted against the hotel.

This was done by one of his close allies, Senator Irungu Kang’ata.

Lawyer Kang’ata appearing for the National Lands Commission (NLC) on Monday, July 10, opposed a plan which was being hatched by Weston Hotel to stop the proceedings before the Environment and Lands Court.

Murang'a Senator Irungu Kang'ata attends a court session on August 29, 2019
Murang'a Senator Irungu Kang'ata attends a court session on August 29, 2019
Daily Nation

In his submission, the Murang’a senator stated Weston will have to allow the whole proceedings to a conclusion without any interference.

He argued that Weston stands a chance to appeal the case once a verdict has been made in the Environment and Lands Court.

“We are of the view that the petitioner has an opportunity to ventilate his issues once the case is determined and your honour, should the intended be determined, we will be taken back there having taken the time here,” Kang’ata told the court.

Weston Hotel's lawyer Ahmednassir  Abdullahi opposed the decision taken by NLC stating that the Environment and lands Court has no legal mandate to hear the case.

He accused Kang’ata of being clueless in his submission yet he had to also appeal opposing the proceeding of the case.

“It shows how clueless it is. If NLC was serious about its functions, it would have appealed the decision you made. The NLC is oblivious to that and it is a tragedy to this country,” Ahmednassir responded to submissions presented by Kang’ata.

Following the latest stance by the NLC, it enjoined KCAA to push for the conclusion of the case which Weston was planning to push to next year.

Ahmednassir expressed his dissatisfaction in the case claiming that Weston does not stand a chance to win on grounds that an appeal should have first been filed to stop the Environment and Lands Court from hearing the case.

“If you do not stay these proceedings, you will literally take away the right to an appeal,” he stated.

He added,” the record of Appeal was filed on July 9. It has not been given directions.”

Ahmednassir defending the ownership of the land in which the hotel stands stated that his client bought the land from Priority Limited.  At that time, there was no link between KCAA and the land it now claims.

On the other hand, KCAA has maintained that Weston is employing delaying tactics to drag the case and hence frustrating its bid to reclaim the land.

According to KCAA lawyer Stephen Ligunya, Weston was erecting hurdles to the case.

“We have opposed that application. We believe that the appeal is light-footed and will not Succeed,” he said.

A file image of Weston Hotel
A file image of Weston Hotel
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