Human Rights Activist Calls for Urgent Action Against Land Fraud Syndicates in Uasin Gishu County
Human rights activist Kipkorir Ngetich has raised the alarm over the increasing sophistication of land fraud syndicates in Uasin Gishu County, urging for urgent reforms within the Directorate of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) and the Ministry of Lands. Ngetich claims that criminal networks, including corrupt land officers, are systematically manipulating land records and stealing both private and public land, with some benefiting from the complicity of officers within government institutions.
In a statement issued this week, Ngetich highlighted the alarming trend of land grabbers who are reportedly receiving large bribes to facilitate the illegal registration of land titles. These criminals, according to Ngetich, have managed to acquire valuable public utilities and private properties, aided by corrupt officers from the county land office and the Ministry of Lands. The activist described this growing syndicate as a well-organized network that extends from the local land office to the Ministry headquarters in Nairobi.
“These land grabbers are becoming bolder. They have inside information on land records, and with the help of corrupt officers, they are easily manipulating title deeds and property records. The situation is grave, and it’s high time that the authorities take decisive action to root out this problem,” Ngetich said.
The human rights advocate further expressed concern over what he described as “suspicious” court rulings that consistently favor land grabbers. Ngetich claims that criminals involved in land fraud have cultivated relationships with certain judges, magistrates, and prosecutors, enabling them to secure favorable outcomes in their cases. He pointed out that many criminal charges are weakened or mysteriously withdrawn, often in the face of strong evidence, thereby allowing these perpetrators to escape justice.
“There have been multiple instances where land grabbers are allowed to have their matters heard by a select group of magistrates or prosecutors who are sympathetic to their cause. In some cases, charges are dropped, and court rulings go in favor of these criminals despite clear evidence of fraud,” Ngetich asserted.
The activist also expressed concerns about the role of certain land registrars, clerks, and other officials within the Lands Ministry who, according to Ngetich, assist in facilitating the fraudulent acquisition of land titles. He emphasized the importance of strengthening land fraud investigations and ensuring that corrupt individuals within the system are held accountable.
“The primary custodian of land records is the land registrar, and it is impossible for anyone to manipulate or change ownership records without the involvement of an insider within the Lands Ministry. We need experts from the land fraud unit to investigate these cases and ensure that only legitimate title deeds are issued,” Ngetich argued.
In his call for urgent reform, Ngetich is urging the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) to reorganize the Eldoret office, which he claims has been compromised by corruption and inefficiency. He also called for the transfer of all officers suspected of collusion with land grabbers, including those from the police, the ODPP, and the court system.
“It’s no longer business as usual. The people of Uasin Gishu are suffering, and the justice system must act swiftly. The DPP must immediately reorganize the office in Eldoret, transfer compromised officers, and bring in experienced land fraud investigators to clean up this mess,” Ngetich emphasized.
The activist’s concerns echo growing public frustration over the land crisis in Uasin Gishu, where residents have witnessed the unlawful acquisition of public utilities and other properties by unscrupulous individuals. Local communities have long felt that the government has failed to effectively tackle the issue, leading to the rise of land fraud syndicates that continue to operate with impunity.
As calls for action intensify, Ngetich has urged the Ministry of Lands to urgently address the issue of corrupt land officers and ensure that public and private land records are safeguarded from manipulation.
“We must stop legitimizing fraudulent land titles in our courts. The public is watching, and the government must act decisively to restore confidence in the land administration system,” he concluded.
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