By Our Correspondent
Two brothers were on today arraigned before the Chief Magistrate’s Court in Nakuru over the alleged fraudulent acquisition Muthera Farm, of a prime parcel of land in Mau Narok, Njoro Sub-County, valued at about Sh5 billion.
Josphat Munke Ole Mpoe and Joseph Kakore Ole Mpoe pleaded not guilty to multiple charges, including conspiracy to commit a felony, forgery, forcible detainer, giving false information to a public servant, and false swearing.
The court released each on a Sh2 million bond with a similar surety, or a cash bail of Sh1 million.
Detectives from the Land Fraud Investigations Unit say the disputed land measures about 4,296 acres and was lawfully bought by its owner from Class Kenya Farming Limited Settlement Fund Trustees for Sh5 million. The sale is documented in an agreement dated June 13, 1977, prepared by advocate T. K. Patel.
Investigators told the court the land has been the subject of a prolonged dispute involving the accused and the rightful owner. The brothers claimed the property belonged to their late father, Kikenyi Ole Mpoe, based on a forged title grant.
“For years, the land has been embroiled in a legal dispute between the two suspects Josphat Munke Ole Mpoe and Joseph Kakore Ole Mpoe, who are brothers and the rightful owner,” investigators stated in the case brief.
Police further allege that the pair obtained limited letters of administration from the High Court in Nakuru on March 23, 2023, while falsely asserting an interest in the land. Detectives established that the brothers had previously worked as farm managers on the property and that the title they presented was not genuine.
“However, LFIU detectives uncovered that the brothers were previously farm managers on the property and that the title they presented is a complete forgery,” the brief states.
The investigation file was forwarded to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, which approved the charges. The case is being handled by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations, which says it remains focused on curbing land fraud and safeguarding lawful ownership.