AfriPulse
A Kenyan rights group has moved to the Milimani Law Courts seeking urgent court intervention to compel the government to implement a Cabinet resolution waiving interest and penalties on loans owed by low-income settlers across the country.
In an application filed by Sheria Mtaani and co-applicant Shadrack Wambui, the petitioners argue that despite a government announcement published in the Cabinet News of November 11, 2025, settlers continue to accumulate interest and penalties on their loans, defeating the purpose of the promised relief.
The applicants told the court that the waiver applies to more than 520 settlement schemes spread across 26 counties but remains unimplemented, leaving thousands of vulnerable families under growing financial pressure.
In their court papers, they described the matter as “extremely urgent” and asked the court to hear the application ex-parte, arguing that immediate judicial action is necessary to stop further financial harm.
“The continuing accumulation of interest and penalties is plunging low-income settlers into a financial dungeon,” said Shadrack Wambui. “These citizens are forced to pay loans and penalties even after the government promised relief. If this waiver is not implemented immediately, thousands of families risk financial ruin.”
Beyond the waiver, the applicants also want the court to compel the National Lands Commission to decentralize its services. They argue that residents in remote counties struggle to access land clearance services because they must travel to Nairobi, adding to their financial burden.
They further seek orders requiring government officials to refund any settlers who have paid interest or penalties after the waiver announcement.
“The Cabinet resolution of 11th November 2025 was meant to ease the burden on our people,” said Sheria Mtaani. “But the continued delay in implementation is a constant reminder to these settlers of their lack of ownership over their land and the increasing financial strain they face.”
The suit targets the Chief of Staff and Head of Public Service, the Cabinet Secretary for Lands, Public Works, Housing and Urban Development, and the Principal Secretary for Lands and Physical Planning. The Cabinet Secretary for National Treasury and Economic Planning appears in the case as an interested party.
According to the applicants, failure to act swiftly will undermine the Cabinet resolution and further prejudice low-income settlers who depend on the waiver to manage their loans and secure their land rights.
The High Court is expected to hear the matter in the coming weeks, with the petitioners urging the court to move quickly to protect the livelihoods of thousands of vulnerable Kenyans.
Source: NairobiWire.com | Read the Full Story…
