A demolition exercise in Nairobi’s Marurui area took a dramatic turn after it emerged that one of the affected properties is linked to a long-running land dispute that was ultimately decided in favour of Langton Investments Limited.
The property, reportedly associated with city politician Jared Okoth Okode, also known as General Defao, was brought down following a court-backed enforcement action. Okode, a former Nairobi MCA and a 2027 Ruaraka parliamentary aspirant, was arrested on Sunday as police moved in to quell tensions during the operation.
During his arrest, witnesses claim he allegedly confronted officers and threatened to call William Ruto, remarks that further escalated the situation at the scene.
Ownership Dispute and Court Battles
At the centre of the demolition is Land Reference Number 28401, located in Roysambu sub-county along the Northern Bypass off Kombu Road.
Langton Investments Limited maintains that it has been the lawful and registered proprietor of the land and had, as early as March 2024, issued a public notice cautioning potential buyers against purchasing any portion of the property.
The company asserted that it had never subdivided the land nor lost possession of its title deed. It has been linked to the former cabinet minister John Michuki.
According to court documents, an entity identified as Meron Limited allegedly attempted to irregularly subdivide the land, leading to the issuance of several contested titles under Nairobi Block 219 series. However, these titles were later revoked and cancelled by the Registrar of Titles in December 2023 through Gazette Notices No. 16350 and 16351.
Langton Investments subsequently filed a case at the Environment and Land Court, securing an injunction in November 2023 that barred any dealings on the land, including sale, transfer, or development, pending the hearing and determination of the suit.
The dispute also extended to a judicial review case filed in 2024 challenging the cancellation of the titles.
The matter has since been concluded, with the court ruling in favour of Langton Investments Limited, affirming its ownership of the land.
The ruling effectively invalidated any claims arising from the disputed subdivisions and set the stage for enforcement actions, including the demolition of structures deemed to have been erected illegally.
The company had also lodged a complaint with the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), triggering parallel investigations into alleged fraudulent transfers and subdivisions.
Preliminary estimates suggest the demolished house linked to Okode could be valued at approximately Sh16 million, with the land itself estimated at around Sh7 million, though these figures remain unverified.
The incident underscores the persistent challenge of land fraud and irregular allocations in Nairobi, where buyers often fall victim to contested titles despite public warnings and ongoing court cases.
Authorities are yet to confirm whether Okode will face formal charges, even as the demolition signals a firm stance on enforcing court rulings in land disputes.
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