Two brothers arrested in Ksh.5 billion Mau Narok land dispute

Detectives from the Land Fraud Investigations Unit (LFIU) of the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) have arrested two suspects over the alleged fraudulent acquisition of a prime parcel of land valued at approximately Ksh.5 billion in Mau Narok, Njoro sub-county.

According to a statement from the DCI, investigations revealed that the land, measuring about 4,296 acres, was lawfully purchased by the rightful owner from Class Kenya Farming Limited Settlement Fund Trustees for Ksh.5 million.

The transaction was formalised through an agreement dated June 13, 1977, drawn up by T. K. Patel.

However, the property has for years been at the centre of a protracted legal dispute involving two brothers, Josphat Munke Ole Mpoe and Joseph Kakore Ole Mpoe, who laid claim to the land alongside the rightful owner.

The brothers alleged that the land belonged to their late father, Kikenyi Ole Mpoe, and based their claim on what investigators say is a forged title grant.

“In a dubious turn of events, the brothers obtained Limited Grant Letters of Administration from the High Court of Kenya in Nakuru on March 23, 2023, under the pretence of claiming interest in the property,” the DCI said.

Further investigations by LFIU detectives established that the two suspects were previously farm managers on the disputed land and that the title document they presented was “a complete forgery.”

Following the conclusion of investigations, the case file was forwarded to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP).

After reviewing the matter, the ODPP directed that the suspects be charged with several offences, including conspiracy to commit a felony, forgery, forcible detainer, giving false information to a public servant, and false swearing.

The two suspects were arraigned before the Chief Magistrate’s Court in Nakuru, where they pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The court released them on a bond of Ksh.2 million each with a surety of a similar amount, or an alternative cash bail of Ksh.1 million.

The case will be mentioned for further directions as the prosecution prepares to proceed with the hearing.