PM'S LAND

Nairobi — A Watamu plot at the centre of a dispute between a British national and five squatters belongs to the Prime Minister, the High Court heard on Wednesday.

Mr Stephen Ligunya, the lawyer for Kang'o Enterprises Ltd, a company owned by Mr Raila Odinga, disputed the authenticity of the title deed held by a Briton, Mr John Frazer Unsworth, and his claim of ownership of the plot.

Mr Ligunya also told Malindi High Court judge Hellen Omondi that Mr Odinga has a title deed for the plot while the squatters do not.

The five squatters, who are also claiming ownership of the plot, went to court seeking to restrict Mr Unsworth from developing it.

Through their lawyer, Mr Richard Otari, they have urged the court to rule in their favour.

Mr Unsworth wants earlier orders placed on the plot by the court to stop him developing it revoked and the costs he has incurred paid.

He told Lady Justice Omondi that he has a genuine title deed for the plot and has built two houses to the roof and started the foundations for another two.

Mr Unsworth said he paid Sh13,440,000 for the 12 acres within the controversial Chembe Kibabamche area of Watamu in June, 2008.

However, when asked to verify the legality of the document, the Briton said he was not dealing with the transaction directly. "My lawyers, whom I trust, did everything for me," Mr Unsworth said.

Other than the title deed, Mr Unsworth said he did not have other documents to prove his ownership of the land. Lady Justice Omondi fixed the hearing of the case for next October 12 and 13.