A new twist has emerged in the ongoing dispute over the 5,800-acre land parcel belonging to the late Isaiah Cheluget after the family dismissed that Moses Kipkirui Cheluget is the owner's son.
In an official statement, the family urged the public to disregard Kipkirui's allegation that there were no discussions between the president and them over the purchase of the land.
Kipkirui had previously denied that President William Ruto met with the family, informing that as it stood, the family had no official signatory and a succession case was ongoing to determine the official signatory.
Statements that the family representatives have refuted, asserting that the succession case was conclusively settled at the High Court, Kericho, and confirmation of the grant issued on June 12, 2018.
New revelations have cast doubt on Kipkirui's credibility after family members alleged that he was an impostor and not the biological son of the late Isaiah Cheluget. They claimed that he moved to court seeking recognition as a rightful heir and requested a DNA test to establish lineage.
However, the High Court dismissed his petition, denying the DNA request and any authority to speak on the matter.
“Mr. Cheluget previously filed a case in 2017 seeking to be recognised as the biological son of the late Isaiah Cheluget. However, his petition was dismissed by the High Court, which declined his request for DNA testing via exhumation, citing procedural and cultural grounds,” the statement read in part.
“As a result, Mr. Moses Cheluget is a stranger to this process and is not legally recognized as a beneficiary or administrator of the estate. His current actions have no legal standing and appear to be an attempt to derail a lawful process being conducted by the rightful estate representatives,” it added.
The press conference, led by Ambassador Nancy Kirui, brought together key family members and estate representatives, who reaffirmed their support for government involvement in resolving the long-standing land dispute.
“The family of the late Isaiah Kiplangat Cheluget has been in ongoing discussions with the President’s representatives, including the PS for Lands, the Governor of Narok, and the Director for Settlements, to ensure an amicable resolution,” the statement noted.
They clarified that Isaiah Cheluget himself had sought the government's intervention multiple times before his passing, and his wishes were now being honoured.
The family has confirmed that they have been in several meetings with President Ruto's representatives and were happy that they had reached an amicable solution.
The controversy surrounding the land began when President Ruto announced to Narok South residents that he had had discussions with Cheluget, who passed away in 2017, regarding its purchase for the resettlement of squatters.
