4 Times Kenyan Presidents Were Targeted by Land Grabbers

Left to right: Former President Daniel Moi, Mwai Kibaki and President Uhuru Kenyatta at a past function.
Left to right: Former Presidents Daniel Moi, Mwai Kibaki and President Uhuru Kenyatta at a past function.
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Social media was awash with reports of President Uhuru Kenyatta's private land in Karen, Nairobi, being the main target of four men who intended to sell the prime property.

The incident went viral with many astounded at how daring the men could be, trying to acquire the President's land. However, this is not the first time that this has happened as Uhuru's predecessors were also faced with a number of similar land grabbing attempts.

Kenyans.co.ke takes a look at four times presidents were targeted by land grabbers. 

President Uhuru Kenyatta (left) and his predecessor Mwai Kibaki.
President Uhuru Kenyatta (left) and his predecessor Mwai Kibaki.
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Uhuru Kenyatta

Uhuru's private land located in Karen, Nairobi, was on the spotlight after four men were arrested in January 2022, for allegedly forging the land's title deed.

According to court documents, the four are reported to have used the forged title deed to lure unsuspecting people to buy the land despite it belonging to the Head of State.

Further, court documents indicated that the four kept spying on the piece of land, searching for beacons and land markings- with the prosecution claiming that they had intentions of selling off the land.

The case, which is still in court, will proceed to completion once the police finalise with the investigations.

Mwai Kibaki Nyeri Plot

The country's third President, Mwai Kibaki, was not spared as he battled for control of a piece of land located in Nyeri town for over a decade. The land, which is valued at Ksh20 million, is occupied by a commercial building. 

Court documents revealed that Kibaki bought the land in the 1970s alongside his friends namely Samuel Githinji (his elder brother), Kimwatu Kanyungu, Kiiru Gachuga, Gadson Gitonga and Kibera Gatu. 

However, another group claimed the same piece of land and sought ownership of the disputed land. According to the new group, a number of Kibaki's friends had sold their shares to them, hence they had a legitimate stake in the land. This saw Kibaki apply to be enjoined in the case after retiring from the Presidency in 2013. He sought to protect his stake in the property.

Mwai Kibaki Diani Beach Plot

Kibaki's family was also involved in a controversial beach plot located in Diani valued at Ksh24 million. A High Court order in August 2010, ordered the family to stop purchasing the plot on suspicions that they had been conned.

According to court documents, the man who sold the land to the former President's family had forged the title deed. 

Daniel Moi

In 2016, three different cases were brought to the High Court's attention involving ownership of prime land located in Muthaiga, Nairobi, belonging to former President Daniel Arap Moi.

The cases alleged that Moi had sold the land on separate occasions between 1988 and 2016. The first case alleged that the former President sold the land to DPS International Limited in 1988 while the second case alleged that Moi sold the land to Muthaiga Luxury Homes Limited in 2012.

The third case claimed that Moi sold the same property in 2016 to Maestro Connections Health Systems Limited. The three parties all claimed to be legitimate owners of the property.

Jomo Kenyatta Vs Mama Ngina

The regime of Kenyatta's reign was not without controversy, especially pertaining to land grabbing claims. Kenyatta's love for purchasing land is in the public light as he bought several beach plots, hotels at the Coast as well as properties across the country. 

Despite the wealth and prestige that came with the title, Jomo did not always successfully acquire property. In one instance, he sought to purchase undeveloped beach property in the North Coast.

The former President ordered the then Provincial Commissioner (PC), Eliud Mathu, to find the owner in order to buy it at double the market price. Mathu later reported to Jomo, informing him that the land belonged to his youngest wife, Mama Ngina Kenyatta, who had declined the offer. 

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Former Presidents Jomo Kenyatta (left) and Daniel arap Moi (right) at an event in the 1970s
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