A Senate committee has summoned Lands CS Alice Wahome over alleged interference with the ownership of a Sh10 billion land which hosts the Two Rivers Crescent Estate in Ruiru, Kiambu County.
Ms Wahome and her daughter, Wangeci, have been named in the ownership saga which stems from the murky succession of former spy chief James Kanyotu.
The Lands CS previously represented Willy Kihara Njoki, who claims to be a son of Kanyotu. Her daughter, Wangeci, has since taken up the legal representation since Ms Wahome’s appointment to the Cabinet.
Ms Wahome is expected to appear before the Land and Environment Committee on Thursday to shed light on the ongoing dispute over the land.
More than 76 occupants allege that Willy Kihara Njoki has threatened them with eviction, despite them furnishing him with ownership documents in their names.
Mr Njoki claims to be the sole beneficiary of the estate and disputes the legality of the previous land transactions. Mr Njoki claims to be a son of Kenya’s longest serving spymaster.
The land was sold to the affected residents by Kangaita Coffee Estate Limited on behalf of the late Kanyotu’s family.
The late James Kanyotu.
Photo credit: File| Nation Media Group
However, a raging tussle has emerged within the family of the late Kanyotu, pitting Mary Wanjiku Kanyotu and Jane Gathoni Kanyotu (Kanyotu’s widows), Andrew Peter Ngirici and Christopher Kanyotu (sons) and the tenants on one side, against Margaret Nyakinyua Murigu (widow) and Mr Njoki on the other side.
The revelations emerged on Tuesday before the committee chaired by Mombasa Senator Mohamed Faki, which was considering a request for a statement by Kiambu Senator Karungo Thang’wa over the ongoing attempts to forcefully evict the residents.
The senator wanted the committee to inquire into the circumstances under which Mr Kihara Njoki is asserting ownership over the land, including whether he is a legally recognised beneficiary or administrator of the estate and the basis upon which he is disputing the previous sale of the land.
The legislator also wanted to know the legal status of the parcels of land in question, including verification of ownership records, the validity of title documents held by the residents and the status of succession and administration of the estates of the late Kanyotu.
“CS Wahome is a person of interest. She is actually the reason why these people are suffering. Whenever we speak, she takes us to court. She was the lawyer of Mr Kihara; then after becoming a minister, she left the brief to her daughter,” said Senator Thang’wa.
“Who is this Kihara? Does he exist and can he appear before us? The committee should give a declaration that the goons leave the land immediately.”
Two Rivers Crescent Estate Chairperson Ms Felistas Njeri Mwihia told the committee how goons have been invading the property, destroying their structures and taking over the land.
Ms Mwihia said she paid Sh600,000 for her plot, but she cannot develop the land because of the goons who are destroying any structure they put up.
She recounted how difficult it has been to get help from Ruiru Police Station and the Ministry of Land, who are allegedly complicit in the matter.
“We have reported the attacks, but we are taken in circles by the local police. We feel threatened and helpless because of the goons who roam the premises freely. You wonder which country we are living in. I paid for my piece of land, but now my title deed appears to be a useless piece of paper,” said Ms Mwihia.
Another resident, Engineer Stephen Kamuiru, decried how Mr Njoki is being protected by very powerful people who have allowed him to do anything to them.
“Who is this Kihara who is above the law? One Daniel Muihia has been assaulted more than five times, but no action is being taken even after reporting to Ruiru Police Station.”
One of the lawyers of the Kibe Mungai told the committee how Mr Njoki has become a law unto himself, and instead of challenging the validity of the titles, he has resorted to employing goons, compromising local police to ensure the residents don’t have peaceful occupation of the land.
It emerged during the committee session that Mr Njoki changed his name in 2019 to Willy Kihara Njoki Kanyotu through a 2019 gazette notice.
But Ms Mary Kanyotu told the committee Mr Njoki is an impostor and is not a biological son of the late Kanyotu, as has been proven through DNA.
“His grandmother used to work on our farm, and they depended on us, but all of a sudden he became a Kanyotu. He has also managed to convince people that he is Kanyotu’s son.”
Attempts by Ms Wangeci to request an adjournment of the meeting, saying the matter is before court, failed.
The CS Wahome’s daughter, representing one Margaret Nyakinyua Murigu, claimed the issues before the committee, including ownership of the land and its beneficiaries, are matters reserved to the courts and their discussion will offend the Constitution and the rule of subjudice.
“This matter is also before the Directorate of Criminal Investigations over claims of fraudulent sale of the land. This forum will not offer the solution they are looking for,” said Ms Wangeci.
Senators Kamua Murango (Kirinyaga) and Joe Nyutu (Murang’a) pressed to know the immediate measures being taken to secure the affected residents, prevent further harassment or evictions and uphold the rule of law.
They also wanted to know action taken by the National Police Service and the DCI on complaints lodged by the residents regarding threats, intimidation, destruction of property and attempted unlawful evictions.
“We must be told the status and integrity of land records relating to the disputed parcels, including an explanation for any missing, inaccessible or unavailable records at the Ministry of Lands,” said MR Murango.
“People bought properties, developed and are living in them but they now risk being evicted and are being threatened by goons,” added Mr Nyutu.
The committee directed that CS Wahome and her Interior counterpart Kipchumba Murkomen, as well as Mr Njoki, appear in person before the committee on August 6, 2026.
“We direct that outsiders vacate the estate and no eviction or harassment of the residents should happen,” said Mr Faki.
