Twist as Another Family Claims Controversial Narok Land, Plans Sale to Government
The long-standing ownership dispute over a 5,800-acre parcel of land in Narok South has taken a new turn. A new faction within the Cheluget family has emerged, claiming to be the rightful owners of the controversial land and expressing willingness to sell it to the government.
This development comes amid heightened tensions and conflicting claims within the family over ownership and succession. The new faction, led by former Principal Secretary Nancy Kirui, held a press briefing in Nairobi on Saturday, where they stated that they have reached a consensus with the government to sell the land for the resettlement of squatters.
“We are in engagement with the government on this matter, and we’ve already made an offer to sell the land to the government to settle the squatters, just as the President stated,” said Kirui.
The property in question belonged to the late Isaiah Cheluget, a former Provincial Commissioner. Since his death in 2017, the land has been the subject of internal family disputes, with multiple members laying claim to it and engaging in parallel talks with various stakeholders.
The Kirui-led group stated that the late Cheluget had initiated peaceful discussions with the government prior to his death, seeking an amicable solution for the benefit of all parties involved. They claimed that this initiative formed the basis of the current engagement with the government.
Controversy escalated earlier this week following remarks by President William Ruto during a public address in Narok. The President said that he had held discussions with the late Cheluget before his passing, and they had agreed that the government would purchase the land to facilitate the resettlement of squatters.
“We called Cheluget, we sat down with him, and we agreed that the government will buy this land,” President Ruto stated.
These comments sparked immediate backlash from another family faction led by Mr. Moses Kipkirui Cheluget. Kipkirui dismissed the President’s remarks as misleading and vowed to challenge the proposed transaction in court.
“I think he is lying. No one in this family is in talks to sell land which doesn’t even have a signatory and is still under succession,” said Kipkirui. He further accused the President of misinforming the public and vowed to take legal action within seven days to halt any payments related to the land.
“I will move to court within seven days to halt any payments until we, as a family, determine who’s authorized to speak for us. Who is the president talking to while succession is ongoing? Naona rais alidanganya (I see the President lied),” Kipkirui added.
Addressing the matter of succession, Ambassador Kirui clarified that the process had been legally concluded. According to her, the High Court in Kericho issued a confirmation of grant on June 12, 2018, conclusively settling the succession process and legally recognizing the rightful heirs.
“We wish to make it clear that the issue of succession was conclusively settled in court. A confirmation of grant was issued in 2018, and any claims suggesting otherwise are misleading,” she stated.
In a strong rebuttal, Kirui’s faction disassociated itself from Mr. Moses Kipkirui Cheluget, declaring that he has no standing in the family’s affairs regarding the land. “We do not recognize him. He is a stranger. We therefore ask members of the public to ignore any person purporting to speak on behalf of the family,” said Kirui.
The ongoing dispute has deepened the mystery surrounding the true ownership of the land and complicated the government’s intention to acquire it for settlement purposes. The emergence of multiple claimants and divergent narratives within the family has fueled uncertainty and risked delaying any official transaction.
Legal experts have indicated that for the government to proceed with the purchase, it must ensure that due diligence is conducted to confirm legal ownership and avoid future litigation. Without clear legal consensus within the family, any deal may be subject to judicial challenge.
The case also raises questions about how land succession matters are managed in Kenya and the potential legal and political implications of state involvement in disputed family estates. The conflict has placed a spotlight on the legal framework governing inheritance and state acquisition of private property for public use.
The government has yet to issue an official statement in response to the conflicting claims. However, sources within the Ministry of Lands indicate that no payments have been processed, pending clarification on the rightful ownership and resolution of the family dispute.
As it stands, the Cheluget family is deeply divided, and the path to resolution remains uncertain. While one side is ready to engage the government and finalize a sale for public benefit, the opposing faction is prepared to go to court to stop the process, citing incomplete succession and lack of internal consensus.
The outcome of this dispute will likely set a precedent for future government engagements involving contested family properties. It remains to be seen how the judiciary will respond to the anticipated legal battle, and whether the State will proceed with its intention to settle squatters on the land.
Until then, the fate of the 5,800-acre Narok South land hangs in the balance.
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Twist as Another Family Claims Controversial Narok Land, Plans Sale to Government
