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| William Kimei Tanui |
William Kimei Tanui, a notorious land fraud suspect, was arrested and arraigned at the Eldoret Law Courts today on charges of conspiracy to defraud, perjury, and obtaining land registration through misrepresentation of facts in court. His arrest follows a detailed investigation into a complex fraudulent scheme involving prime land parcels in Eldoret township.
Kimei’s arrest, which occurred on Friday, January 31, 2025, was prompted by a complaint from the distressed owner of a 0.0929-hectare piece of land in the Pioneer area of Eldoret South. The landowner had faced ongoing threats and harassment from Kimei and a criminal faction, which hindered her efforts to take full control and develop her land.
Upon investigation, authorities uncovered that Kimei had filed a fraudulent affidavit with the High Court on October 16, 2023, falsely claiming to have occupied the land since 1971. This misrepresentation led to the court declaring him the legitimate owner of the land, which is valued at approximately Sh 50 million.
Meanwhile, Kimei was not the only one involved in this elaborate scheme. Two other suspects, Margaret Jemutai Kangogo and Zendera Kiplagat Biwott, had filed similar fraudulent claims in a lower court on January 25, 2023. The duo swore affidavits stating they had occupied the same parcel of land since 1999. They succeeded in misleading the court, resulting in the registration of a decree on May 10, 2023, which allowed them to acquire official land documents from the Ministry of Lands.
However, as Kimei and the two suspects engaged in a fierce battle over the fraudulent ownership, the rightful landowner discovered that despite holding valid land papers, there was nothing to show on the ground. She subsequently sought police assistance, leading to Kimei’s arrest. Kangogo and Biwott remain at large, and a warrant for their arrest is currently in force.
At his arraignment, Kimei pleaded "not guilty" to all charges. He was granted bail in the sum of Sh 200,000 or an alternative cash bail of Sh 50,000. The case will be mentioned again on February 17, 2025, as investigators continue to pursue the remaining suspects.
The arrest of Kimei marks a significant victory in the ongoing crackdown on land fraud in the region, as authorities remain vigilant in protecting landowners from fraudulent schemes that undermine property rights.
