Five Charged in Eldoret Court for Land Fraud
In a significant development in Eldoret, five individuals have been arraigned in court on charges related to a land fraud case involving a 20-acre parcel at Ngeria, valued at approximately twenty million Kenyan shillings. The accused—Tamar Cheptoo Birgen, Paul Kirwa Samoei, Julius Kipkosgey Ruto, and Jacob Kiplagat Too—appeared before Principal Magistrate Kimani Mukabi and pleaded not guilty to multiple charges.
The charges include conspiracy to defraud under section 317 of the penal code, making documents without authority, uttering false documents, and perjury. The defendants were granted bail set at sh500,000 each, with similar surety, or an option to post a cash bail of sh200,000. The case is scheduled for mention on 22nd August 2024.
The case gained prominence when it caught the attention of President William during a public function in Turbo. The President directed Kapseret legislator Oscar Sudi to ensure justice for the affected parties, highlighting the seriousness of the allegations.
Prior to presidential intervention, the complainants sought assistance from the Centre for Human Rights and Democracy (CHRD) in Eldoret. CHRD’s Director, Kipkorir Ngetich, expressed concerns over a suspected criminal element in the case. He commended the thorough investigation conducted by officers from the land fraud unit at DCI headquarters, which led to the arrest and subsequent prosecution of the accused.
Ngetich affirmed CHRD’s commitment to monitoring the court proceedings closely until the matter is resolved. He thanked President William Ruto and MP Oscar Sudi for their support to the affected family, urging the courts to exercise vigilance, especially in land disputes involving contested title deeds.
The case stems from allegations that the defendants used fraudulent means to obtain a title deed, resulting in the unlawful eviction of the complainants. This incident underscores ongoing issues with land disputes in the region, prompting heightened scrutiny and public concern.
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