The High Court sitting in Thika has halted the construction of the Ngoliba market.
The dispute has sparked tension at the shopping centre after police and goons were deployed to intimidate locals and traders while guarding a contractor working against a court order.
Justice Anne Mogeni of the Environment and Land Court issued conservatory orders against the Ministry of Public Works until the hearing of the matter, which the county government has filed. "I direct that there shall be no dealings with the suit property until the inter partes hearing of the suit," the judge ruled.
The matter, which last weekend saw county government officials injured by goons procured at a daily cost of Sh800 from Kabete, and county cars damaged, has seen Thika MP Alice Ng'an'ga heavily criticised for orchestrating the trouble.
