Two arraigned in Sh5 billion Mau Narok land fraud

Two arraigned in Sh5 billion Mau Narok land fraud

Detectives from the Land Fraud Investigations Unit (LFIU) apprehended two individuals in connection with the fraudulent acquisition of a prime piece of land valued at approximately Sh5 billion in Mau Narok, Njoro Sub-County.

Investigation has since unveiled that this land, which measures around 4,296 acres, was purchased by the rightful owner from Class Kenya Farming Limited Settlement Fund Trustees for Sh5 million as documented in an agreement dated June 13, 1977, which was drawn up by T. K. Patel.

For years, the land has been embroiled in a legal dispute between the two suspects Josphat Munke Ole Mpoe and Joseph Kakore Ole Mpoe, who are brothers and the rightful owner.
The brothers purport that the land belonged to their late father, Kikenyi Ole Mpoe, based on 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. However, LFIU detectives uncovered that the brothers were previously farm managers on the property and that the title they presented is a complete forgery.

Following extensive investigations, the case file was submitted to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions.

Upon thorough review, the ODPP directed that the suspects be charged with the following offences; conspiracy to commit a felony, forgery, forcible detainer, giving false information to a public servant, and false swearing.

Appearing before the Chief Magistrate’s Court Nakuru, the accused persons pleaded not guilty to the charges and were released on bond terms of Sh2 million with surety of similar amounts or cash bail of Sh1 million each.

This case underscores the DCI’s commitment to combating land fraud in Kenya and upholding justice for rightful landowners, the DCI said