Armed individuals guarding a disputed Sh1.3 billion land in Loresho briefly detained Lands Cabinet Secretary Alice Wahome as she sought to assist the rightful owners in accessing the expansive parcel along Lower Kabete Road following a court order.
Upon Wahome’s arrival with her team, the guards locked the only exit gate, trapping them inside the property.
Police had to pursue a suspect believed to be the leader of the ununiformed guards to break the padlock after he failed to produce keys.
Wahome, accompanied by the Sub-County Security team, remained composed despite the incident, denouncing it as barbaric and illegal.
She emphasized the need for the arrest of those responsible for using goons to unlawfully secure the land.
The CS was supported by a top security team and armed police officers, leading to the arrest of some guards and the confiscation of weapons, including arrows.
CS Alice Wahome Speaks
The purpose of Wahome’s visit was to facilitate Ashok Kumar Rupshi and Hitten Kumar in taking possession of the land following a court ruling confirming their ownership.
“There is no reason that a person can illegally claim another person’s land. There has been delay and unexplained reasons as to why the court orders have not been enforced.” she expressed.
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Wahome directed security officers to ensure that Ashok and Hitten could access the land without interference and demanded a report by noon on Wednesday detailing the eviction of illegal occupants and enforcement of court orders.
“There is absolutely no reason why there should be any other person on this site other than the true owners of this land.”
“I will now direct the OCPD for Gigiri to carry out an immediate operation not later than tomorrow 12, and I will ask for a report as Cabinet Secretary and the report can be filed through the cabinet secretary ministry for interior through the OCPD through the right channels.” said CS Alice Wahome.
Lands CS Alice Wahome addresses Davis Chelogoi
Former Nairobi Provincial Commissioner Davis Nathan Chelogoi had also laid claim to the same parcel of land, adding complexity to the long-standing land dispute dating back to 2019 with High Court case number 312 of 2009 involving Ashok, Hitten, and the late Jacob Juma.
Speaking to media the CS directly addressed Chelogoi saying, “However much time you buy Chelogoi you will not change the records at the Lands Office State Department for lands and physical planning.”
The CS further noted that he had an existing warrant of arrest.
The landowner’s remarks
Ashok, one of the rightful owners, revealed that had made numerous visits to Wahome’s office, complaining that he had been blocked from accessing his land despite winning a 13-year legal fight.
“I am here to state and reinforce the position of the ministry as far as this land ownership is concerned. The owners have come to my office several times and called the PS and me about being denied access to this place,” Wahome said.
Speaking to the media Ashok expressed gratitude for the government’s intervention, noting that he had already engaged investors from India who were ready to partner with him to develop the contested land.
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“I don’t have words to appreciate her as she has received my complaint, she verified and took some time but at least today she is on the ground to make sure that we get possession of this property.”
“I am really very happy today and I thank the CS and the government for enabling me to access my land,” he said.
The Cabinet Secretary’s decisive action underscores the government’s commitment to ensuring justice and the resolving of the longstanding land dispute.
She had earlier expressed that President William Ruto’s government will protect legitimate landowners in any part of the country to secure the immeasurable value of land as capital of production and investment.
