The National Lands Commission (NLC) has been directed to file its response in a case in which it is accused of failing to provide information contrary to Access to Information Act.
NLC had been cited alongside Eldoret Land Registry and the Attorney General in the petition filed by Eldoret Muslim leader Jamal Diriwo Omari.
Omari in his petition filed in 2022 wants the three State Agencies found culpable of contravening the Access to Information Act.
In his petition, he argues that attempts to seek information in regards to the pieces of land and plots owned by Eldoret Muslim Committee had all been ignored.
This was despite numerous letters he wrote to the said offices as well as others from the Office of the Commission of Administrative Justice commonly known as the Ombudsman.
Serve submissions
However, when the case came up for mention on Thursday, it was noted that of all the respondents, NLC had not participated.
It was from this basis that Eldoret High Court Judge Robert Wananda directed the petitioner to serve the commission his submissions so that it can respond.
A similar order was issued to the Eldoret Lands Registry which is also a respondent.
Justice Wananda further directed that NLC files its response before May 25, 2023, when he will issue further directions.
Omari, the Secretary General of the North Rift Muslim Youth Daawa Group had sought for information on all details of the Eldoret Muslim association’s assets dating as far as 1986.
The information sought, which he is yet to be provided with include letters of allotment, letters of transfer and title deeds.
He further wants details of all land donated by the government to the Muslims for the construction of mosques in each of the estates in Eldoret town.
The Muslim leader in a past interview with Uasin Gishu News claimed some of the pieces of land meant for construction of mosques had been illegally transferred to private individuals.
It is believed the Muslim association has multiple plots across Eldoret Municipality whose value is estimated to be running into billions of shillings.
