Court Halts Eviction of Nairobi Printing Firm, Orders Cleanup of Ngong River

Kenya, December 19, 2205 - A Nairobi court has stopped the forced eviction of a printing and packaging company in the Industrial Area, ruling that government orders issued last year were unlawful and violated the firm’s constitutional right to property. In the same decision, the court directed authorities to clean up illegal waste dumping along the Ngong River and prevent further pollution.

The case was heard at the Environment and Land Court after the company challenged a Public Security Order issued by the Cabinet Secretary for Interior in May 2024. The order required occupants living near rivers and water reservoirs to vacate their properties. The firm argued that it had been targeted without notice, inspection or legal basis, despite complying with environmental and riparian reserve regulations.

At the centre of the dispute is Land Reference No. 209/18655 along Enterprise Road. Court documents showed that earlier surveys and environmental approvals confirmed the company’s operations—including boundary walls, a printing press and packaging units—did not encroach on the Ngong River. The firm also blamed public agencies for failing to stop illegal dumping along the river, saying the pollution had altered the river’s flow and threatened its property.

Several agencies were named in the case, including the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA), Nairobi City County, the Water Resources Authority (WRA), the National Land Commission and the Ministry of Environment. NEMA and WRA acknowledged receiving complaints about dumping but said enforcement responsibilities were shared. The county government cited limited resources and the challenge of night-time dumping.