The Environment and Lands court in Kenya's Murang’a County has reportedly dismissed an application by Del Monte Kenya to be enjoined in a case seeking to stop the renewal of its land lease, according to local media The Star.

On Friday, Justice Grace Kemei dismissed the application with costs to the pineapple processor, saying it did not demonstrate how the suit would interfere with the current land ownership status of the company.

Del Monte had applied to be enjoined in a case where two Murang’a residents are seeking orders to have the county government of Murang’a and the National Land Commission advertise the renewal of the land lease owned by Del Monte under the Public Procurement and Disposal Act.

The 99 years lease to Del Monte comes to an end in 2022 and its renewal process has commenced.

The petition by James Mwangi and Ephantus Githae seeks to halt the process until public bidding is done. Del Monte in its application argued that it was the registered owner of the land and has invested heavily in it.

The company further argued that the outcome of the petition may disrupt the ongoing land renewal process.

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