A dispute between Eldoret North MP William Ruto and an IDP will proceed to trial after the two failed to agree on a number of issues. Photo/FILE
By PAUL JUMA pjuma@ke.nationmedia.com
Posted Monday, March 19 2012 at 22:30
Posted Monday, March 19 2012 at 22:30
A dispute between Eldoret North MP William Ruto and a man displaced by the 2007 post-election violence will proceed to trial after the two failed to agree on a number of issues.
The matter will be heard over two days, starting on April 25.
The High Court allocated the hearing dates after being informed that the two parties failed to reach an agreement on three issues.
During the hearing, Mr Gilbert Adrian Muteshi will argue his case for compensation, cancellation of titles that Mr Ruto holds and the cost of the suit.
Agreed to vacate
Mr Ruto had agreed to vacate the 100-acre property in Uasin Gishu County.
However, the matter has had to go to trial after the two failed to agree on legal costs and compensation.
Mr Ruto’s lawyers will present the MP’s opposing arguments on these issues.
Mr Muteshi fled the land, located in Mr Ruto’s constituency, at the height of the 2008 violence. The farm is near Turbo, one of the areas most affected by the clashes.
The violence erupted soon after the electoral commission announced the results of presidential elections, which the ODM disputed.
Some 1,133 people were killed and more than 500,000 displaced from their homes and farms during the fighting.
Mr Muteshi filed the suit in 2010, accusing the Eldoret North MP of grabbing his land, kicking out his employees and occupying the property.
On March 5, the MP sent his lawyers to file a notice of concession, in which he admitted occupying the property.
He undertook to vacate it by April 10, but Mr Muteshi insisted on legal costs and compensation.
According to Mr Muteshi’s lawyer, Mr Anthony Lubulellah, his client will also be urging the court to order the cancellation of the titles in Mr Ruto’s possession.
Two weeks ago, the High Court gave the parties time to agree on the outstanding issues, but the lawyers informed the court yesterday that no agreement had been reached.
Although Mr Ruto has conceded the property, he has denied grabbing it.
He said a woman sold it to him knowing that the titles were irregular.
He said that his concessions were not admissions of wrongdoing or culpability, and disclaimed any liability, damages or losses that anyone may have suffered as a result of the land transaction.
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