[Source: The Standard, by Ignatius Odanga]
A Magistrate’s Court in Busia has barred a local businessman from interfering with the property of a 99-year-old man until the case he has filed is heard and determined.
The order by Principal Magistrate Samson Temu came as a relief to John Olaka, who had been evicted from the property in Busia town.
Olaka, a former soldier who fought for Britain in Burma, wants the court to establish how the businessman got the title deed for the prime property he has owned since 1948.
Last Wednesday while he was sleeping, he heard some rowdy youths descend on his property. They destroyed some of his personal properties and then evicted him from a place he has called home for the past 71 years.
The old man then filed a suit through Okeyo Ochiel and Company Advocates and Mr Temu issued orders restraining interference from any quarter on his property.
“A temporary order is hereby issued restraining the defendant whether by themselves, their employees, agents, workers, and or servants or anyone claiming through them from interfering with plaintiff’s occupation and use of plot number Busia/Municipality/125, pending the hearing and final disposal of this application,” read the magistrate’s order.
He said he has prostate cancer and has been relying on the rent he collects from his property for his medical expenses.
One of Olaka’s sons, Hoskin, told The Standard that one of his brothers took the documents of the property and disappeared in 2014.
A Green Card dated September 12, 2019 from the county Lands Registrar shows John Olaka is the owner of the property at the centre of the controversy.
A letter dated January 7, 2010 from the Ministry of Lands states that Olaka is the owner of the property.
“According to our records, the plot was allocated to John Olaka vide letter of allotment ref 72399/X1 dated December 11, 2009,” reads the letter signed by Commissioner of Lands one ON Mochoge.
[Full article: The Standard, by Ignatius Odanga]
