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Nine years after the Judiciary leased an office in the Upper Hill area in Nairobi, questions still linger on the reason for the appellate judges declining to relocate to the building despite spending a total of Ksh72 million.
Reports indicated that the then Court of Appeal President, Justice Paul Kihara ordered all Court of Appeal judges to occupy the premises by September 17, 2013.
The Judiciary submitted Ksh70 million in funds towards leasing the building located along Elgon Road at the junction with Upper Hill Road.
Court of Appeal proceedings on Wednesday, June 30, 2021
File
This is after the tender was awarded to Knight Frank and owners of the property, Sealink Holdings Limited for the lease of 0.26 hectares piece of land at a monthly fee of Ksh4.2 million which translated to an annual rent of Ksh50.4 million.
While making preparations, the building was partitioned to accommodate the judge’s chambers, offices, and six courtrooms, among others.
The appellate judges, however, declined to occupy the premises arguing that the building posed as a health hazard and emitted radioactive material.
Years later, the building remained unoccupied with auctioneers placed the building on auction on November 22, 2021.
The building comprises parking lots, holding cells, courtrooms, and chambers among other facilities.
According to auctioneers, the sale of the property was linked to a breach of contract.
New Premises
The Judiciary is now set to construct a new building at Upper Hill in Nairobi. While inviting bids for the design of the building, the new complex is projected to occupy 4.9 acres.
“The Judiciary seeks to undertake the construction of the Court of Appeal Complex at Upper Hill area Nairobi County with an approximate plinth area of 20,000 square meters,” read part of the notice.
File photo of Gravel
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