Court Halts Businessman’s Eviction of Insurance College in Land Grab Dispute

A Nairobi court has issued an urgent injunction stopping a prominent businessman from evicting the College of Insurance from disputed land in South C, bringing temporary relief to an educational institution that has battled land grabbers for over two decades.

Justice Grace Kemei of the Environment and Lands Court last week barred private developer Rajab Ahmed Karume from proceeding with the construction of a perimeter wall on the contested five-acre property, warning of penalties for non-compliance with the court directive.

The interim order comes after armed individuals allegedly stormed the college premises, destroying property in what appears to be an escalation of the long-running land dispute. The Insurance Training and Education Trust, which operates both the college and the Edge Convention Centre, has occupied the land since 1994.

The institution has faced persistent attempts by private developers to grab portions of its land over the past twenty years. The current dispute centers on five acres under Land Reference number 209/10210, which includes a playing ground and guest parking facilities.

In November 2024, Karume obtained a court order granting him possession rights to the contested land. However, the college successfully petitioned the Environment and Lands Court to suspend this earlier ruling, arguing they have maintained exclusive ownership of the property for three decades.

The college, represented by advocate Kenvine Odhiambo, formally notified Karume’s legal team—led by prominent lawyers Ahmednassir Abdullahi and Peter Muchoki—of the court’s protective order.

Disturbing reports suggest that construction work at the site was set to commence with alleged protection from police officers stationed at Akila Police Station, raising questions about the enforcement of land rights and institutional protection.

The case highlights the ongoing challenge of land grabbing in Nairobi, where educational and public institutions frequently find themselves defending their properties against private developers seeking to capitalize on prime real estate locations.

The matter remains pending before the Environment and Lands Court for full hearing and determination, with the college hoping for a permanent resolution to secure their long-held property rights.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​