Court stops Maina Kamanda from interfering with city beautification project

The High Court has issued orders stopping Starehe MP Maina Kamanda from interfering with a beautification project being undertaken by a Nairobi businessman until the case is determined.

Issuing the orders, Justice David Onyancha also gave the MP 14 days to file a response to the suit filed by Top Max Media.

In the supporting affidavit, Paul Mwangi Warutere, the proprietor of Top Max Media, said the company successfully applied to the Nairobi County government to undertake beautification, architectural works, rehabilitation and modernisation of a matatu terminus within the city centre.

Mr Warutere, who filed the petition through lawyer Omwanza Ombati, told the court that after getting approval from the county government he embarked on the construction work after deploying workers to the site.

THREATENED WORKERS

“The work (had) been going on smoothly until around March 3, 2015, when the respondent (the MP) mobilised people who descended on the site destroying the construction works and threatened the workers of unspecified consequences if they continued working,” the court heard.

He told the court that the project required a substantial amount of money and would cost the company over Sh15 million, arguing that any form of interference would affect the timelines set for completing the project.

Justice Onyancha certified the matter as urgent and directed that it be heard inter parte within 10 days.

The court directed the Railways Police Station commander and the Starehe Police Division commander to ensure the orders issued are complied with and security and order maintained.

When the matter came up for mention Wednesday, the judge extended orders stopping the MP from interfering with the project until the matter is determined.

Justice Onyancha set the hearing date for April 21, 2015.