Retired Judge Lutta awarded Sh893 million over his grabbed land in Kitale

Retired Judge Benna Lutta has been awarded Sh893 million as compensation for his grabbed land.

Luta moved to court in 1984 seeking redress after his 1,756-acre piece of land in Kitale was grabbed by the government.

After a 30-year court battle, High Court Justice Isaac Lenaola Friday warned the government about treating Kenyans inhumanely.

“I watched Justice Lutta testifying in court. A man whose judgments and fingerprints dot our law reports now looks dejected and broken. His advanced years show more than they should, all because what he worked for in his youth was stolen by conniving civilians with government protection. No Kenyan should ever again be so treated and the State must draw lessons from this judgment,” said judge Lenaola.

Of the Sh893 million award, Sh850 million is compensation for land, Sh30 million is for farm equipment destroyed and animals stolen, and the remaining Sh3 million is for violation of the retired judge’s rights.

Lutta’s trouble began in December 1983 when thugs invaded his farm, forcefully ejecting his family and workers and looting his property.

He lost 380 dairy cows, of which 215 were pure-bred frieslands and 165 were fleckries, 600 corriedel sheep, six tractors, house furniture, 260 bags of grade one coffee, three cars and other belongings.

- The Star