The Environment and Lands Court has temporarily suspended an order that would have forced the Kiambu County Government to vacate the Makongeni Bus Park in Thika and another terminus in Kiambu Town. The decision, issued on Wednesday, November 5, 2025, provides a crucial, albeit temporary, relief for the county administration and thousands of transport operators who faced imminent disruption. The core of the dispute is the ownership of land parcels that the county converted into bus parks in 2018 under former Governor Ferdinand Waititu's administration to ease traffic congestion.

Details of the Land Dispute

The case revolves around two key parcels of land: a 4.7-acre plot in Makongeni, Thika, and a 1.5-acre plot in Kiambu Town, both owned by the Postal Corporation of Kenya (PCK). On October 7, 2025, the court had initially ruled that the county government's occupation of the land since June 2018 was unlawful, as it was done without any lease agreement or compensation to PCK. That ruling mandated the immediate closure of the Makongeni terminus and required the county to surrender all revenue collected from the parks since 2018 to the state-owned postal service.

The Kiambu County Government appealed this decision, arguing that negotiations for an out-of-court settlement were already in advanced stages. According to court documents, the county had offered PCK a total of Sh315 million to purchase the two parcels—Sh215 million for the Thika property and Sh100 million for the one in Kiambu Town. This offer was formally made in March 2025 by Kiambu's Lands Executive, Salome Muthoni, following joint valuations of the properties.

The Path to a Settlement

Postmaster General John Tonui confirmed that the PCK board had conditionally accepted the county's offer. However, the finalization of the deal is contingent on approvals from the Ministry of Lands and the National Treasury. PCK also proposed a retrospective lease to cover the county's occupation of the land since 2018. In its appeal, the county government insisted that these negotiations had not lapsed and expressed its commitment to an amicable resolution, despite a contempt of court application filed by PCK.

The county government also raised concerns about the potential for political incitement following the initial eviction order. It warned that some leaders had threatened to organize demonstrations to forcibly relocate the bus parks, which could lead to public unrest. The interim stay on the eviction order will remain in effect until November 20, 2025, when the case is scheduled for another hearing.

Impact on Kiambu County

The bus parks, particularly the Makongeni terminus, have become vital economic hubs for Thika and the wider Kiambu County. After taking office, Governor Kimani Wamatangi's administration upgraded the facilities into modern transport hubs, which improved transport efficiency and created livelihoods for over 2,000 traders and matatu operators. The potential closure of these parks raised significant concerns about the economic impact on these individuals and the disruption of public transport services.

The dispute highlights the persistent issue of conflicts over land ownership between county governments and state corporations in Kenya. The outcome of the pending negotiations and the final court ruling will have significant implications for public land management and the resolution of intergovernmental disputes. For now, the temporary halt to the eviction provides a critical window for the Kiambu County Government and the Postal Corporation of Kenya to finalize the Sh315 million settlement and secure the future of these essential public facilities.