The ruling comes after the school’s Board of Management sought a temporary injunction to halt the development of a multi‑storey apartment complex on Sixth Avenue while the ownership dispute is fully determined by the court.

In her ruling, Justice Christine Ochieng explained that the school had not met the legal threshold for interim relief.

“Looking at the documents the plaintiffs have presented, I note they provided a history of the disputed land but failed to file any documents to support their claim on the suit land,” Justice Ochieng said.

She added that:“Allegations of forgery and illegality in the governor’s title could only be properly examined during a full trial, not through an interim injunction.”

The judge noted that relevant government authorities, including the National Construction Authority (NCA), had confirmed compliance with development regulations.

“Since the first defendant (Mohamed Adan Khalif) was granted development permission for his land, with the relevant government entities acknowledging this position, I am unable to restrain him from his property,” the judge held.

The contested project is a 10‑storey residential development planned to deliver 160 housing units on a parcel the school insists forms part of its original compound. 

According to the school’s petition, the land was part of its 2.2‑hectare plot set aside for educational purposes but was “systematically reduced through irregular surveys, excisions and re‑registrations.”

School officials allege that the property’s title was eventually re‑registered to the governor, whom they claim lawfully acquired the parcel in 2021 for about Sh140 million.

The Board also raised concerns about the impact of the construction on the learning environment, highlighting that:“Classrooms now sit only metres from the rising structure,” and parents have argued that the development poses safety risks and worsened congestion at a school hosting classes from ECDE to secondary level. 

The post Court Allows Mandera Governor to Continue Parklands Flats Project appeared first on Insider Bits News.

In the urgent petition filed Before Milimani High Court, activist Francis Awino argues that Akech’s continued tenure at the helm of the NCA has been marked by regulatory failure, administrative maladministration, and a systematic disregard for public safety, particularly in Nairobi County where several buildings have collapsed or been flagged as unsafe.

The petitioner, who identifies himself as President of Vybe Tribe, a civil society movement, is seeking multiple declarations and orders, including a finding that Akech is unfit to hold public office.

“A declaration is sought that the Respondent, Maurice Akech, in his capacity as Executive Director of the National Construction Authority, has acted in a manner inconsistent with the Constitution of Kenya and is therefore unfit to hold public office,” the petition states.

The case centers on the collapse of a twelve-storey mixed-use building at Plot No. 209/5909/10, South C Ward, Lang’ata Sub-County, along Kiganjo Muhoho Avenue on January 2, 2026.

The collapse resulted in at least two individuals being trapped and one person injured during construction.

According to the petition, investigations and situational reports by Nairobi City County and NCA revealed that the building, developed and constructed by Abyan Consulting Limited, was non-compliant at the time of collapse.

The petitioner claims there was no evidence of approved structural plans, statutory inspections, geotechnical reports, or proper site supervision.

The activist alleges that Nairobi City County issued enforcement notices to the developer in May, July, and December 2025, highlighting numerous infractions, including non-compliance with approved plans, unsafe construction practices, and lack of statutory inspections.

“The Respondent NCA through its boss Akech failed to enforce these notices or take any remedial action, allowing continued illegal construction and placing the public at grave risk,” the petition reads.

Awino further alleges that despite architectural plans being approved for twelve floors in December 2023, additional floors were constructed without statutory approvals, in blatant violation of the Physical and Land Use Planning Act and relevant Nairobi City County by-laws.

The petition states that Akech, in his official capacity, acknowledged the non-compliance of the building in a public statement dated January 2, 2026, admitting that the project was registered on November 8, 2023, and was “non-compliant” at the time of collapse.

The activist wants the court to issue an order removing or suspending Akech from office, citing what he terms demonstrated incompetence, negligence, disregard for public safety, and failure to uphold integrity and accountability.

“The court does issue an interim order suspending the Respondent, Maurice Akech, from the office of Executive Director of the National Construction Authority pending the hearing and determination of the Application and Petition filed herein,” Awino seeks.

The petition also cites a pattern of structural failures in Nairobi, including incidents in Zimmerman in 2023 and Kahawa West in October 2024, attributing them to poor workmanship, substandard materials, and inadequate statutory oversight.

Among the reliefs sought, the petitioner wants the court to declare that Akech has violated Articles 10, 21, 23, 35, 47, 73, and 201 of the Constitution, relating to national values, public safety, administrative justice, leadership integrity, and public service principles.

The petition argues that Akech’s actions constitute breaches of the National Construction Authority Act, the Physical and Land Use Planning Act, NCA Regulations 2014, and Nairobi City County building by-laws.

The activist is asking the court to compel the NCA to immediately halt all ongoing construction projects in Nairobi County that lack approved structural plans, ensure mandatory inspections are conducted before work continues, and enforce sanctions against developers, contractors, and professionals who violate regulatory standards.

“A mandatory order is sought directing the Respondent to take immediate action to enforce compliance with building and construction regulations in respect of all non-compliant projects in Nairobi County,” the petition states.

The activist further argues that Akech’s alleged inaction despite repeated warnings amounts to abuse of office.

“The Respondent’s failure to act, in the face of repeated enforcement notices and known violations, constitutes administrative maladministration, gross negligence, and abuse of office,” the filing adds.

Additionally, Awino wants the court to order Akech to provide in court a full account of all enforcement actions taken or omitted regarding buildings in Nairobi County that were flagged for non-compliance between 2021 and 2026 within 14 days.

Awino further targets approvals involving Abyan Consulting Limited and other developers implicated in unsafe construction.

“A declaration is sought that any approval, registration, or licensing decisions made by the Respondent in relation to Abyan Consulting Limited, or any other developer involved in unsafe or non-compliant construction, are null and void to the extent that such decisions contributed to the endangerment of human life,” the petition states.

Finally, the activist wants the court to impose personal accountability, including recommendations for disciplinary action, deregistration, or referral to oversight bodies for professional negligence.

The case which is pending hearing and directions before Justice Chacha Mwita names the State Department of Public Works and Infrastructure and National Construction Authority as an interested parties.

The post Activist Moves to Court Seeking Removal of NCA Boss Akech Over South C Building Collapse appeared first on Insider Bits News.

Eyewitnesses said thick smoke billowed from the building around past 6pm, forcing pedestrians and motorists to flee the area.

Traffic along the busy thoroughfare was temporarily halted as firefighters rushed to contain the blaze.

In images and videos showed the fire appeared to have started on the first floor and eventually spread to uncontainable levels after a few minutes.

Moments after the inferno started, a huge crowd gathered at the scene, although no one attempted to put out the flames, which had already destroyed a considerable part of the building.

The cause of the fire is yet to be established, and authorities have not confirmed if there were any casualties or injuries.

Shop owners and employees were seen evacuating merchandise and equipment, while onlookers gathered at a safe distance to watch the emergency response.

At the time of publication, the Nairobi City County Government had not yet issued a formal statement on the fire.

By evening, however, the blaze had been contained, though large clouds of smoke continued to rise from the building, indicating that flammable materials had been consumed in the inferno.

The post Fire Breaks Out at Electronic Shops in Ramogi Building, Nairobi CBD appeared first on Insider Bits News.

President Mnangagwa was warmly received at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) by Kenya’s Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs, Musalia Mudavadi, who welcomed him on behalf of President Dr. William Ruto.

The Zimbabwean leader’s visit comes as regional heads of state converge in Nairobi for the high-level COMESA summit, which seeks to strengthen economic integration, boost trade, and enhance cooperation among the 21-member states.

“Kenya is honoured to host President Emmerson Mnangagwa and other distinguished Heads of State for the 24th COMESA Summit. This meeting underscores the region’s commitment to deepening economic ties and collective prosperity,” Prime CS Mudavadi said during the reception at JKIA.

Mnangagwa, who was accompanied by senior Zimbabwean government officials, is expected to join other regional leaders in deliberations focusing on intra-African trade, industrialization, digital transformation, and climate resilience within the COMESA bloc.

The summit, themed “Deepening Regional Integration for Inclusive and Sustainable Industrialization”, aims to assess progress made in implementing the COMESA regional integration agenda and address key challenges facing member states.

According to Kenya’s Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs, several bilateral engagements and side meetings are scheduled to take place on the sidelines of the summit, including discussions on infrastructure development, agro-processing, and regional peace and security.

President Mnangagwa’s arrival marks Zimbabwe’s continued participation in shaping the economic policies and cooperative frameworks that underpin the bloc’s long-term growth strategy.

“Our countries share a strong history of solidarity and partnership. Zimbabwe remains a key partner in advancing COMESA’s mission of regional integration and economic development,” Mudavadi added.

The post Zimbabwe’s President Mnangagwa Arrives in Nairobi for 24th COMESA Summit appeared first on Insider Bits News.

Delivering the ruling in the case Justice Bahati Mwamuye granted the orders sought by the petitioners restraining four individuals from taking oath or performing any functions as chairperson or members of the MCK Board.

The petitioners, Issa Elanyi Chemao and two others,had filed an application dated August 4, 2025, seeking conservatory orders to stop the appointments made through Kenya Gazette Notices No. 10091 and 10092 of July 25, 2025.

In his detailed ruling, Justice Mwamuye found that while the initial ex parte orders issued on August 5, 2025, were improperly obtained due to “material non-disclosure”, the petitioners nonetheless met the legal threshold for the issuance of conservatory orders after a full inter partes hearing.

“Having carefully considered the pleadings, affidavits, and submissions of all parties, I am persuaded that the petitioners have demonstrated a prima facie case with a likelihood of success,” Justice Mwamuye stated.

“Accordingly, conservatory orders are hereby issued staying further implementation of the impugned gazette notices.”

The orders effectively restrain Joseph Maina Muiruri, Susan Karago, Timothy Wanyonyi, and Tabitha Mutemi from assuming office, taking oath, or performing any functions as chairperson and members of the Media Council of Kenya until January 22, 2026, unless the orders are extended by the court.

“The conservatory orders issued shall lapse on January 22, 2026, unless otherwise extended,” the judge ruled.

On the issue of costs, the court allowed the Notice of Motion dated August 7, 2025, filed by the 1st and 3rd Respondents — the Cabinet Secretary for ICT and another respondent, who had sought to set aside the ex parte conservatory orders of August 5.

Justice Mwamuye found merit in the application to that extent.

“The ex parte orders are hereby set aside, and costs assessed at KSh150,000 are awarded to the 1st and 3rd Respondents, payable by the Petitioners within 45 days,” the judge directed.

However, Justice Mwamuye made no order as to costs regarding the petitioners’ substantive application dated August 4, noting that the matter raised important constitutional questions that warrant full hearing.

The court further issued a case management timetable, directing all parties to exchange submissions ahead of the scheduled judgement early next year.

“The petitioners shall file and serve any further affidavit and written submissions by October 31, 2025,” the judge directed.

“The respondents and interested parties shall file their submissions by November 21, 2025, and any rebuttal submissions, if necessary, shall be filed by December 10, 2025.”

The matter will then proceed for highlighting of submissions on December 15, 2025, with judgement scheduled for January 22, 2026, both sessions to be conducted virtually at 10:30 a.m.

The case challenges the legality and transparency of the recent appointments to the Media Council of Kenya Board, arguing that the process allegedly contravened constitutional and statutory requirements.

The respondents, represented by State Counsel from the Office of the Attorney General, had opposed the petition, arguing that due process was followed in the appointments and that the applicants had not demonstrated a violation of the Constitution.

The interim orders now halt any action relating to the swearing-in or official commencement of duties by the contested board members, pending final determination of the petition early next year.

The post High Court Halts Appointment of Media Council of Kenya Board Members appeared first on Insider Bits News.