An international company, on Saturday, took its dispute with Kajiado County Government a notch higher by demolishing their new offices.
Tata Chemicals Magadi, reportedly, embarked on the demolition of the foundation of the new county offices in Magadi at 3am.
The company’s management accused the county government of illegally constructing structures on their land.
They further obtained a court order, dated January 31, 2019, barring the county government from trespassing its property.
“They have encroached on our land and we, therefore, took the right action in stopping them from trespassing into our leased property,” stated the firm’s board member Taitus Naikuni.
The firm is embroiled in a Kshs17 billion land rates dispute with the county government and its agencies that date back to 2013.
Tata Magadi further issued orders to Magadi MCA Joseph Masiaya and an administrator, Julius Rikanka, to vacate the firm’s houses.
Rikanka confirmed to The Star that the demolition had actually happened and that it included his office.
“It is true there was a demolition. The county government had begun the foundation for my office and those of enforcement officers, but we woke up to a total mess,” stated Rikanka.
The court also issued an order barring the county government from enforcing its demand for the land rates arrears.
The case is set for hearing on February 5.
