Police officers have been deployed to guard a 305-acre parcel of land belonging to former Provincial Commissioner (PC) Charles Koinange.
Inspector-General of Police Douglas Kanja told the High Court that the property valued at over Sh6 billion was under police protection from goon invasion, following a bitter succession dispute pitting the siblings of the deceased administrator.
At the same time, Mr Samuel Karuga, son of former Treasury permanent secretary, Dr Wilfred Karuga Koinange, who was the son of PC Koinange, surrendered to the court four title deeds in respect of the land. The titles were issued in 1962, 1965 and 1973.
“I hereby surrender to the court four title deeds which were in my possession as directed by the court,” Mr Karuga said as he handed them to High Court Judge Eric Ogolla.
He also confirmed to the court that police are on a 24-hour patrol on the land recently invaded by goons who uprooted coffee planted on 200 acres.
“I urge this court to order that there be no further interference on the land as tea is being harvested now. We have suffered huge damages following the uprooting of coffee and flattening of the farm by hirelings,” Mr Karuga told the judge.
Following the plea, Justice Ogolla prohibited any interference with the harvesting of tea and the operations of Ngorongo Tea Factory.
Mr Kanja, through Kiambu Police County Commander Doris Mugambi, informed the court that police are guarding the vast land which was invaded by goons who uprooted coffee on 200 acres.
“All the invaders and goons who had occupied the 305 parcel of land where they uprooted coffee and flattened the land with bulldozers have been kicked out by police,” Ms Mugambi told Justice Ogolla.
The judge had summoned the IG to explain why he did not execute orders issued on November 6, 2024, directing him to ensure the land is not sold or interfered with in any manner.
“I have been instructed by the IG to inform this court that its orders have been effected and goons who had invaded the vast land have been evicted and police are on a 24-hour guard,” Ms Mugambi informed the judge.
Senior Counsel Philip Murgor, Dr John Khaminwa and Ashford Mugukwu, appearing for the children and estate of the late PC Koinange confirmed that police have been posted to the farm.
“I confirm that police are on the ground although coffee in 200 acres has been uprooted,” Mr Murgor told the judge.
In the dispute, Dr Rosemary B Koinange (widow of Dr Wilfred Karuga Koinange), teaming up with CCK Estates (1973) Limited, Samuel Karuga Koinange, Susan Nduta Koinange, Peter Wandunga Koinange, Mecol Limited and Ngorongo Tea Factory Ltd have sued Isabella Wanjiru Karanja and Peter Mbiyu Karuga (executors of the late PC's will) in the succession dispute.
Justice Ogolla ordered the police to investigate those behind the invasion with a view to prosecuting them once they are brought to book.
The judge and lawyers in the case commended the IGP for taking swift action to eject goons from the vast farm.
The hearing of the case was set for April 23, 2026.
