Nairobi, April 13 -- The Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) has been ordered to pay Sh20 million to a property developer whose apartment block in Nairobi's Langata area was erroneously marked for demolition, triggering panic among buyers and disrupting business.

The Environment and Land Court found that the State agency unlawfully placed "X" marks on Park Gardens Court, a 60-unit residential development, claiming it lay on the Southern Bypass road corridor. The property is owned by Mwaafa Court Limited.

The court held that evidence on record, including from the government's own survey officials, confirmed the property "does not encroach on the Southern bypass road or corridor."

The dispute dates back to October 8, 2010, when KeN...