Nairobi, April 5 -- Businessman John Kibunga Kimani has won a reprieve after the Court of Appeal overturned an earlier decision by the Environment and Land Court that had ordered him to complete the sale of land worth Sh205.3 million.

Dr Kimani's firm, Rural Development Services, had signed an agreement to sell 51.28 acres in Makuyu to African Cotton Industries in July 2013. A 10 percent deposit of Sh20.5 million was paid, but the transaction did not progress.

Court papers show that the businessman later developed cold feet following pressure from family members opposed to the deal, prompting a swift refund of the deposit.

The move sparked a legal battle that saw the Environment and Land Court in Murang'a order Rural Development Servic...