Ms Elizabeth Lang’at assesses damage at her farm in Ngata, Nakuru City, on November 17, 2024.
In the lush and scenic expanse of Ngata neighbourhood that is synonymous with affluence and high-end residences in the outskirts of Nakuru City, the promise of a serene and secure lifestyle is being shadowed by a dark reality.
Behind the high walls and manicured gardens lies a troubling secret - land grabbing that has left landowners living in fear as they face the constant threat of dispossession.
In recent years, the increasing land value has attracted powerful interests turning Ngata, located on the Nakuru-Eldoret highway, into a battleground.
For years, shadowy cartels have preyed on the vulnerable using forged documents and armed gangs to wrest control of valuable parcels.
Widows and the elderly residents are often the hardest hit, watching helplessly as strangers invade their land backed by powerful connections and seemingly untouchable influence.
In a place where money and power should guarantee peace of mind, Ngata is instead haunted by whispered threats and violent confrontations, a battleground for property that was meant to be a sanctuary.
For instance, on the night of November 17, a group of young men invaded Elizabeth Langat’s property and demolished a newly- constructed perimetre wall.
She had put up the wall six months ago to mark a clear boundary between an access road and part of her farm.
For years, unknown individuals had trespassed without restriction, prompting her to put up the barrier.
However, this decision seemed to irritate parties with an apparent interest on her land.
Her decision to defend her property has put her life at risk, with attackers targeting her land and trying to intimidate her into giving up.
A person the widow prefers not to name due to safety concerns has repeatedly threatened her.
“He first raided my store, stole produce and set part of it on fire. He demanded that I vacate the land claiming it was theirs. But this is my property which I legally acquired years ago and where I raised my children,” Ms Langat said on Monday.
Fearing for her safety, she reported the threats to the police on November 13.
Ownership documents
Her troubles date back to 2012 when an individual surfaced claiming ownership of her land.
To her surprise, he produced documents to support his claim leading Ms Langat to seek justice in court, a case that has since remained unresolved.
Ms Langat isn’t alone in her struggles.
Workers repair a perimeter wall at Elizabeth Langat's property in Ngata in the outskirts of Nakuru City on November 17, 2024. A group of young men had invaded her land and demolished the fence in a land dispute in the area.
She noted that several of her neighbours have endured similar disputes with many vulnerable landowners being targeted by individuals laying claim to their parcels.
A similar incident occurred in April this year when a group invaded a 40-acre farm owned by Mr Kennedy Kipkulei.
Workers were chased off and the trespassers began plowing and building on the land.
“Around 30 people arrived with hoes, machetes and slashers threatening us. We notified the area chief who called the police. They arrested three individuals,” Mr Richard Korir, a farm worker recalled in an interveew.
These instances form part of a broader pattern in Ngata area, according to lawyer Peter Okiro who represents some of the affected families. Mr Okiro has at least three ongoing cases involving contested land ownership.
“The invasions often involve unknown individuals who upon investigation are found to be acting on behalf of influential figures, including businessmen and politicians. They manipulate the land registry using their connections to acquire illegal titles with the intent of dispossessing rightful owners,” Mr Okiro said.
But Ngata’s history complicates matters. Ngata is among areas where farms were bought from European settlers and set aside for research and development in animal and crop husbandry by the government.
The land was later transferred to the Agricultural Development Corporation (ADC).
In the 1970s and 1980s, the government allocated portions of the land previously owned by ADC to local families with some receiving multiple plots which is typically 10 acres each.
Today, Ngata’s prime location near Nakuru City has significantly increased the land value attracting powerful interests.
Notable landowners in the area include Governor Susan Kihika, the late Internal Security Minister Joseph Nkaissery, former Speaker Francis ole Kaparo and close associates of former President Daniel Moi such as his former aid Joshua Kulei, press man Lee Njiru and former State House Comptroller John Lokorio.
“The original owners are often elderly or widowed and land cartels exploit their vulnerability. Succession cases drag on in court, making it easier for these groups to prey on aging landowners, hoping to secure the land before disputes are resolved,” said Mr Okiro.
Records show different cases filed in the Nakuru Environment and Lands Court regarding ownership of various parcels of land.
Mr Kulei and his Sian Enterprises are battling over ownership of a 20.24-hectare parcel with Omar Mohamed Omar and Patrick Wakanda.
Mr Omar and Wakanda have sued Mr Kulei, Chief Land Registrar, Attorney General and Kulei- owned Sian Enterprises Ltd.
In court documents, they say ADC allotted them the land following an application and upon compliance with the conditions contained in the letter of offer.
Mr Omar says in documents seen by Nation he applied for the land on October 8, 1995, together with Mr Wakanda, and was issued with the title deed in 1996.
According to Omar, he paid Sh46, 826.85 to ADC through Lands Limited, which he notes is a subsidiary of ADC.
But Mr Kulei and Sian Enterprises have disputed Omar and Wakanda.
Sian claimed it acquired the property from the late Nkaiserry, who got it from ADC in 1991.
ADC, according to Mr Kulei, transferred the property to Nkaiserry on January 21, 1991 and registered on January 22, 1991, for consideration of Sh60,015.63. Nkaiserry said he was issued with a certificate of title dated February 22, 1991.
He said he agreed with Nkaiserry in March 1998 for a consideration of Sh5.5 million. The money he said was paid in two instalments on March 23, 1998, and July 23, 1998.
Kulei says Omar and Wakanda cannot lay claim to the land.
Pending case
Court documents indicate that government officials among them a chief and an assistant, the chief land registrar have since testified in the case that is still pending in court.
In October, Chief Land Registrar David Nyandoro while responding to a question by Kulei’s lawyer Prof Tom Ojienda on the authenticity of the title held by Omar and Wakanda said the title is not authentic.
Mr Nyandoro in his evidence before the court said the parcel file to the suit land is missing.
He, however, produced a parcel file for the original land before subdivisions took place.
In another case Mr Omar has sued John Kibet Rotich, Daniel Kipkorir, Chief Registrar of Lands and Thomas Kiprop Kirui.
He says he is the registered owner of land parcel Njoro/Ngata Block 27/20 which he acquired from Francis Bor at Sh12 million in the year 2004.
Omar accuses Kibet, Kipkorir, and Kirui of interfering with his peaceful and quiet possession of the land. He wants the title deed held by the three declared null and void.
Kirui denies the claim by Omar and states that he acquired it from ADC in 1987.
He states that he is a stranger to the claim by Omar that he is the registered owner of the property Njoro/Ngata Block 27/20 and cannot lay claim on land LR No 13287/34 purporting it to be Njoro/Ngata Block 27/20.
ADC in a counterclaim indicated that the suit property LR No 13287/34 was allocated to John Kibet Rotich who is the rightful allottee having been allotted on October 31, 1988.
ADC in their counterclaim wants the court to declare that Rotich is the lawful owner of the land.
In a different matter, Lumbei Company Limited and Mike Kasungu are also fighting over ownership of a 10.06-hectare parcel of land in the area.
The frm in court papers claims it acquired the land from Leonard Arap Sawe in 1994. It claims ADC in June 1990 allotted the land to Philemon Mwaisaka who later sold it to Sawe in 1991.
The company claims it was registered as the proprietor on February 7, 1994, and has been occupying the suit property for 29 years. Lumbei Company noted that Kasungu’s title has no roots, emanates from nowhere, and has never resided on the suit property even for a single day.
Kasungu on his part claims the Ministry of Lands has severally issued certificates of searches confirming that he is the registered owner of the property and that he acquired valid interest from ADC according to the transfer instrument registered on February 14, 1996, and a certificate of title issued.
Mwaisaka as per the court documents has since denied ever selling Kasungu the property.
“I do not know Mike Kiangu Kasungu, I have never sold to him the above property. To the best of my knowledge, Mike Kiangu Kasungu has no lawful interest or lawful claim to the said property,” stated Mwaisaka in their affidavit. The case is ongoing.
In a separate case, Kennedy Chebii and a former Baringo MCA Sylas Tochim are also fighting over land in the area.
