The land row between Kenyatta University's management and the State House has taken another twist after the High Court has barred any subdivision or interference with the ownership or possession of the land.

Justice Oscar Angote of the Environment and Land Court issued the orders on Friday pending a hearing and determination of a petition.

The Law Society of Kenya filed a petition against the National Lands Commission, Lands CS Farida Karoney and six other individuals.

"THAT pending the hearing and determination of this Application inter parties, this Honourable Court be pleased to issue orders restraining all the Respondents their agents, successors and assigns and or issuing an order staying the implementation of the directives contained in the letters dated 4th July 2022 and 7th July 2022 and or subdividing, annexing, alienating, and or any interference with the ownership and possession of the parcel of land known as Land Reference No. 11026/2," Angote ruled.

Angote also barred the Government of Kenya from harassing the institution’s staff during the enforcement of the directives involving the disputed land.

The Judge issued further orders restricting Professor Shem Migot Adhola from giving up the title deed of the land.

Shem Migot Adholla. PHOTO/COURTESY

The matter is scheduled to be heard for inter parte on July 25, 2022.

Kenyatta University management has been involved in a row with the Government of Kenya over the use of the parcel of land after the institution declined to offer part of its land to the World Health Organisation (WHO) for the setup of a Sh600 million regional emergency hub.

Kenyatta University has claimed the KUTRRH took the portion of land in dispute without consultation.

The row has seen the Kenyatta University Vice-Chancellor Professor Paul Wainaina leave the institution under unclear circumstances and the institution’s council replaced with a team that is set to assume the running of the university.

Paul Wainaina. PHOTO/COURTESY

Wainaina claimed he was sacked for refusing to surrender the title deed of the parcel of land to the government after the cabinet decided to subdivide the parcel of lant.