The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has apprehended two brothers in connection with the fraudulent acquisition of land valued at Ksh5billion in Nakuru County.
According to a statement on Tuesday, January 13, the detectives said that investigations revealed that the rightful owner purchased the land, which measures around 4,296 acres, from a company more than 40 years ago for Ksh5 billion.
According to the detectives, the two brothers worked as farm managers on the property, and they used forged documentation to claim ownership.
The land has been entangled in a legal dispute for years with the two individuals, allegedly claiming ownership by saying that the land belonged to their late father.
"Investigation has since unveiled that this land, which measures around 4,296 acres, was purchased by the rightful owner from Class Kenya Farming Limited Settlement Fund Trustees for Sh5 million as documented in an agreement dated June 13, 1977," DCI said.
"Following extensive investigations, the case file was submitted to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP)," it added.
The ODPP directed that the suspects be charged with conspiracy to commit a felony, forgery, forcible detainer, giving false information to a public servant, and false swearing.
The two appeared before the Chief Magistrate's Court in Nakuru, where they pleaded not guilty on the charges and were released on bond terms of Sh2 million with surety of similar amounts or a cash bail of Ksh1 million each.
"This case underscores the DCI’s commitment to combating land fraud in Kenya and upholding justice for rightful landowners," DCI said.
The case comes a month after the detectives arrested another suspect who was involved in the fraudulent acquisition of a Ksh200 million land in Karen in Nairobi.
In a statement on Monday, December 8, the DCI said that the suspect was arrested after allegedly forging a deed of gift to unlawfully acquire the said piece of land.
During the probe, detectives gathered evidence, which was then submitted to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) for further recommendations.
After an independent review, the ODPP supported the investigators' findings. The prosecution proceeded to approve charges of forgery and uttering false documents against the suspect.
