Nairobi Metropolitan Services (NMS) General Mohamed Badi was blocked from accessing and developing the newly launched Michuki Park in Nairobi.
The High Court made the ruling after Nyarobe Waterfront Limited, a private company sued NMS over ownership of the land.
Land and Environment Judge Benard Eboso directed NMS and the firm to visit the site and solve the matter amicably before listening to the case on January 18, 2021.
The company is seeking Ksh 12 billion in compensation after accusing NMS of grabbing the 26-acre-land.
Environment CS Keriako Tobiko argued that the government has been cleaning the land since 2008 and refuted that the firm owned the land since the 1950s.
"The park is a recreational centre which harbours natural springs, watershed and is a home to wildlife.
"The government is in possession of the subject property and has initiated multiple activities such as tree planting," the former Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) stated in response to the case.
President Uhuru Kenyatta on Friday, August 14, 2020, opened the rehabilitated Michuki Park that was initially known as the Mazingira Park. Its name was changed in honour of the late former Minister of Environment John Michuki.
Besides Michuki park, the president stated that the government was working on renewing several other green spaces within the city among them the Nairobi Arboretum, Karura Forest, City Park, and Ngong Road Forest.
He also announced a national clean up campaign to boost the country’s environmental conservation efforts.
NMS was tasked with beautifying Nairobi County after Governor Mike Sonko shared responsibilities with the National Government.
