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The Kenya African National Union (KANU) party has disputed the High Court ruling on the ownership of the iconic Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) land.

In a statement on Monday, June 3, 2024, the party expressed disappointment with the ruling delivered by Justice Jacqueline Mogeni which granted the ownership to the Ministry of Tourism.

While appreciating the independence of the Judiciary, KANU insisted they are the bonafide owners of the land on which KICC sits.

“The KANU Party is utterly disappointed by the judgement delivered today in Nairobi by Justice Jacqueline Mogeni of the High Court of Kenya on the disputed ownership of the parcel of land on which KICC sits,” the statement read in part.

“While we respect and appreciate the independence of the Judiciary as an arbiter in this matter, we wish to clearly state that we are in total disagreement with the judgement granting the ownership of the land to the Ministry of Tourism,” KANU added.

KANU argued that the land on which KICC sits was procedurally allocated to the party under the previous constitution. However, KANU insisted that it has already instructed a legal team to ascertain details of the verdict before issuing a comprehensive next course of action.

“From the outset, KANU reaffirms its position that the allocation of the parcel of land was procedurally effected under the previous constitution. Therefore, we insist on our position that the Kenya African National Union is the legitimate and bona fide owner of the said parcel of land,” KANU stated.

“Meanwhile, the party has already instructed its legal team to file a notice of appeal with immediate effect as the party combs through the substance of the judgement to issue a comprehensive statement in due course,” KANU stated.

“It must not be lost on Kenyans that this matter dates back to 2003 when the government unilaterally issued an executive order revoking KANU’s ownership of the land.”

Nonetheless, the party assured its members that it would pursue the matter to its conclusion.

We are in receipt of the judgement of the high court on the disputed ownership of the parcel of land on which KICC sits. As a party, we disagree with the ruling of the high court and instructed our legal team to explore the next of cause of action.

KANU reaffirms its respect… pic.twitter.com/jUhfTAVh9L

— The KANU Party (@KANUParty_ke) June 3, 2024

High Court ruling

In the ruling, the High Court questioned how KANU was allocated the land in the Nairobi Central Business District housing the multi-billion KICC building.

Justice Mogeni explained that KANU did not give evidence proving how the land was allocated.

“The allocation of the property to KANU without following legal procedure is unlawful and illegal,” Justice Mogeni stated.