Former Kiambu Governor William Kabogo has lost a Sh1.8 Billion land located in Westlands, Nairobi.
The former Governor allegedly acquired the land fraudulently from the defunct Nairobi City Council and registered it under his firm Caroget investments Limited.
In May, Kabogo appeared in court and argued that he had acquired the 7.5-acre land after an allotment by Nairobi City Council in 2003.
He argued that he duly registered the land with the Ministry of Lands after paying all the requisite fees.
“My company acquired title to the property pursuant to a transfer of lease from Nairobi City Council to whom the property was allotted. Caroget paid Nairobi City Council the fees and charges for the property,” Kabogo stated while testifying in court.
[caption caption="Former Kiambu Governor William Kabogo"]
[/caption]
Ministry of Land officials, however, disputed the claim after another company, Aster Holdings Limited, emerged claiming ownership of the same land.
Nairobi County Government Valuer Isaac Nyoike stated that the land was erroneously allocated to Kabogo's company before it was discovered to be private property.
Surveyor Pricilla Njeri from Survey of Kenya explained that the deed plan used to register land in favour of the Governor’s company did not exist.
Senior Land Registration officer Edwin Wafula further stated that the Ministry only recognised the documents produced by Aster Limited.
Aster Holdings claimed that it was the sole owner of the plot since 1993 when there were two separate plots, but successfully applied for a single title added in 2001.
[caption caption="Nairobi County Government Valuer Isaac Nyoike"]
[/caption]
