By N, KNA
Lands, Public Works, Housing and Urban Development Cabinet Secretary Alice Wahome has dismissed allegations of land grabbing made against her by Kiambu Senator Karungo wa Thang’wa, terming them false, malicious and intended to mislead the public.
Speaking at Ardhi House, Nairobi, on Monday, Wahome said the disputed parcel land reference number 11261/76 in Ruiru, Kiambu County is legally owned by Kangaita Coffee Estate Limited, as confirmed by a recent court ruling.
“The allegation that the Cabinet Secretary, together with other persons, grabbed land in Ruiru is false, malicious and intended to bring me into disrepute,” Wahome said during a press briefing.
The CS explained that the land, measuring 205 hectares (506.6 acres), was first registered on May 20, 2002, in the name of Kangaita Coffee Estate Limited, under a leasehold of 940 years commencing February 1, 1962.
The property became subject to succession case number 1239 of 2008 following the death of its registered owner, James Kanyotu.
In October 2009, the High Court barred any dealings with the land pending resolution of the succession dispute. The injunction was registered at the Ministry under presentation number 574 of July 2010.
Despite the order, subsequent transfers took place. In 2013, Trade Setters Investment Ltd acquired the land through a transaction registered under presentation number 687.
The company later transferred it to Marriott Africa Ltd in August 2014. On March 29, 2015, Marriott International Ltd surrendered the title to the Government for subdivision and change of use.
In July 2025, the Environment and Land Court in Nairobi cancelled all transfers and subdivisions in ELC case number 4 of 2021, restoring ownership to Kangaita Coffee Estate Limited.
“The Ministry has complied with the court decree dated July 10, 2025, which cancelled all transactions and reinstated the land to its rightful owner,” Wahome said.
She stressed that her ministry only implements court orders, regardless of who benefits.
“If you bring a decree tomorrow, we verify and register. If another cancels the earlier one, we still implement. That is our mandate, and failure to do so would amount to contempt of court,” she explained.
The CS dismissed claims that she had a personal interest in the property.
“I do not own property in Ruiru or anywhere in Kiambu, directly or indirectly. There is no land in Kiambu that is mine or held through proxies,” she said.
She acknowledged that she previously represented the late Kanyotu’s family in the succession matter as a lawyer before joining government but insisted this does not amount to conflict of interest.
“I was properly within my mandate as an advocate acting on instructions. That cannot be construed as conflict,” she said.
Wahome accused Senator Thang’wa of politicizing the matter to incite the public against the Government.
“The Senator deliberately picked this issue to mislead the public with hopeless propaganda lacking any evidence,” she said, adding that the legislator had not sought clarification from her ministry.
She warned that she would sue the senator for defamation.
“Within 30 days, Mr. Karungo will find himself a defendant in a case of malicious publication and libel. We must stop individuals who intimidate public officers with falsehoods,” she said.
Responding to questions on whether Lands officials were involved in irregular transactions, Wahome clarified that they acted based on valid court orders at the time.
“My officers relied on a court order that was later lifted. They acted within their legal mandate, and once the court issued revocation orders, they duly complied,” she said.
The CS faulted individuals who bought land on the disputed parcel despite ongoing litigation. “Anybody who bought land there did so with knowledge of pending disputes. Many were lured by quick bargains without interrogating the status of the land,” she said.
She further clarified that no church is registered as a landowner in the parcel, dismissing claims that worship institutions had lost land.
“Names like Mukombozi or Redeemed Church appear only as brokers or agents in the transaction chain, not as proprietors,” she said.
Wahome said those who claim to have lost money should seek redress through the courts.
“The solution lies with the courts. If the decision does not favour you, engage the owners of the land. The Ministry has fully complied with judicial directions,” she said at Ardhi House.
She reiterated that she would not be intimidated by political attacks.
“I will not be cowed by propaganda. The truth is documented in court records, and we have fully complied with judicial orders,” she said, holding up copies of the court decree before the media.
Wahome urged Kenyans to rely on verified records instead of misinformation.
“As far as this matter is concerned, the land belongs to Kangaita Coffee Estate Limited, as declared by the court,” she said.