tuGreat Lake University is located in Kisumu. Two courts have stopped the auctioning of the institution. More than 2000 students of GLUK study in the institution. Their academic future was hanged in a balance and they can now breath.
The land parcels
The three parcels of land where the institution sits had been earmarked for auctioning. This was to reclaim a sh 303.6 million loan that had been haunting the institution. Yesterday the SBM Bank and Colinet Auctioneers from auctioning GLUK land. This was done by Justice Anthony Ombwayo of the Environment and lady Justice Jacqueline Kamau of the high Court.
Kenya Private Universities Workers Union(KPUWU) moved to the Environment and land courts on 3rd November. They filled a petition before Justice Ombwayo against Tropical Institute of Community Health Development Trust (TICH). Also registered trustees of GLUK and Colinet Auctioneers.
GLUK council members engaged the auctioneer company with the view of selling the parcel of land. This was according to suit filled by KPUWU’s General Secretary Peter Owiti.According to the the KPUWU, the properties were advertised in one of the dailies on October 22. They were due for auction by yesterday at noon.
Owiti held that KPUWU’s members would suffer. They would suffer irreparable loss, damage and prejudice if the auction was allowed.In their notice of motion, they wanted the court to certify the matter. Also they were to sought interim order restraining the auctioneers and GLUK from interfering with the parcels.
They also wanted an OCS of the nearest police station to ensure peace.Justice issued an order that the status quo of the parcels be maintained. Also not be interfered with in terms of advertisement for sale. On the other hand Lady Kamau issued an injunction. It was stopping the bank from claiming, disposing, selling or interfering with TICH’s ownership of the suit parcels.
Ombwayo further ordered that TICH’s case against SBM Bank be heard on December.