Embakasi East Member of Parliament Paul Ongiri famously known as Babu Owino alleged that the contested Njiru land belonged to an Italian tycoon.
Babu Owino claimed that the over 2,200 acres of land in Njiru belonged to the late Dominica Demasi, who purchased the land from Suklal Madorum, and not the late billionaire Gerishon Kirima.
To further prove his point, Babu Owino announced that he had flown the Italian tycoon’s son Bernardo Vincenso Demasi, and flew him to Kenya which he argued was critical in proving the land ownership.
According to Babu Owino, the Italian bought the contested piece of land in 1966.
“The said land in question with an original LR number 5908/8/1, 5908/5/3 that this said parcel of land does not belong to Kirima nor does it belong to Kirima’s family. I’ve gone further as an MP, used my resources, done my investigations and I’m here with the relevant documents showing the original owner of the said parcel of land. We’ve gone further to bring this person all the way from Italy. As we speak, he is in Kenya and we will go to court,” Owino stated.
He added, “Proof of ownership of land is by having a title deed before a competent court of law. The document I have here is one drawn in 1966, an indenture (which was been issued by the government at the time). The document shows that the land was sold to Dominico Demasi and he bought it from Mr Suklal Madorum.”
Babu Owino thus vowed to stage a legal battle to protect the properties of over 300 residents who face demolition at the end of the 90-day notice.
He challenged Kirima’s family to produce a copy of the Identification Card of the person who sold the land to the family, passport-size photos, rent clearance certificates, rates clearance certificates, transfer forms as well and proof of payment.
“If this land belongs to Kirima’s family, then they must produce the original title deed which is in our possession, and other documents,” he pointed out.
“Without all these, then all the claims are hot air. The original owner is now in Kenya.”
