Ethiopian firm sues county over demolition
An Ethiopian company has been allowed to challenge Governor Evans Kidero’s decision to demolish its property.
Campia Limited (CL) which operates Campia Ethiopian Restaurant on Uhuru Highway also seeks to prohibit the governor and the city government from demolishing more property.
Justice Mumbi Ngugi directed the application to be served to the parties.
The company claims the county government demolished part of the restaurant without as much as giving a notice.
“The respondents without any right stormed and demolished the business,” reads the suit.
The company further claims that the county government carried its tent on an extension of the property which was approved without giving notice or reason despite the licence to trade having being paid for.
It also alleges that the county government is also threatening to demolish the remaining structures.
Mr Ibrahim Tchoutchoua, a director said that the company had rented the premises from the county for three years and was also licensed to make an extension of the hotel in the back yard which has a tent.
He however, denied the restaurant had encroached any part of the road as the county now claims.
“The company has been paying licence fee to Nairobi County for the years it has rented the premises and additional licence for the business extension,” said Mr Tchoutchoua.
He said demolishing the restaurant had exposed it to financial losses as it had already paid the licence fee for the whole year.
“It is only fair that the respondents are restrained from demolishing the company’s premises,” said the director.