Court Blocks Ruto-Allied Firm from Claiming Sh13b Ruai Land

The court has rejected a claim to a land worth several billion shillings in Ruai, Nairobi, which was claimed by a company associated with a senior government official.

The dispute, centred on approximately 1,643 acres valued at around Sh13 billion, has brought to light complex issues of political controversy and allegations of corruption. At the heart of the conflict is Renton Company Limited, a firm reportedly connected to a high-ranking state official, whose claim to the land has been the subject of intense scrutiny. This legal battle unfolds against a backdrop of political tensions, particularly the well-documented fallout between President William Ruto and his predecessor, Uhuru Kenyatta. Under Kenyatta's administration, the government had taken steps to protect the disputed land by designating it as a protected property intended for the expansion of Nairobi's sewer system.

This move was prompted by growing concerns over illegal land grabbing, as various private entities had begun encroaching on the parcel. The government's plans included securing a Sh20 billion loan from the Africa Development Bank to finance the expansion of the Dandora Estate Waste Sewerage and Treatment Plant, a critical infrastructure project aimed at addressing Nairobi's pressing waste management challenges. The conflict escalated in April 2020 when a demolition exercise was carried out under the direction of the Lands Principal Secretary Nicholas Muraguri and Water and Sanitation counterpart Joseph Irungu. They justified the government's repossession of the land as necessary to prevent ongoing illegal occupation and safeguard public utilities.

However, the situation took a turn following President Ruto's ascension to power. In December 2023, his Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki issued a new gazette notice that effectively reversed the previous protective measures, allowing for the subdivision and private use of the land. This decision sparked controversy and accusations of favouritism, given Renton's alleged connections to senior officials. Justice Ann Omollo of the Nairobi court has intervened decisively in this contentious matter. Her ruling overturns Kindiki's recent directive, declaring that the title held by Renton Company Limited was acquired illegally and through improper procedures.

The court has ordered the cancellation of the title and explicitly prohibited Renton from undertaking any construction or sales on the disputed parcels, with exceptions made for areas designated for sewerage development and housing for squatters. It has been argued that the property rightfully belonged to the Kamunyonge Squatters, former employees of Embakasi Ranching. The complexity of the situation is further evidenced by the emergence of four separate lawsuits revolving around the land in question, each reflecting the intricate web of claims and counterclaims. One notable legal action was initiated by individuals associated with the Ruai Squatters Welfare Society, who sought justice against the Nairobi City County and Renton Company.

Testimonies from various witnesses exposed the struggles faced by the squatters many of whom claimed to have lived on the land for years before being forcibly removed by Renton. These accounts were bolstered by assertions that the council had not authorized the transfer of the land to Renton, casting doubt on the legitimacy of the company's ownership claims. In contrast, Renton Company maintains that it acquired the land legally in 1996 from the Nairobi City Council, asserting that there was no wrongdoing in the transfer process. However, evidence presented in court points to a lack of documentation supporting Renton's claims, suggesting a complex interplay of land ownership disputes that may extend well beyond this single case.