
Ruto's Luxurious Kilgoris Home
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President William Ruto’s recent acquisition of a historic property in Narok County is garnering considerable attention.
The President has selected his palatial home in Kilgoris as a preferred retreat, where he has spent the end-of-year holidays with family and hosted numerous official guests. This estate, formerly owned by Kenya’s second Vice President Joseph Murumbi, has undergone significant revitalization under Ruto's stewardship. Spanning over 2,000 acres, the property was acquired by Ruto in 2015 after he settled a loan defaulted by Murumbi.
The acquisition followed the division of the land between Ruto and 99 members of the Moitanik clan from the Maasai community, a decision that stemmed from a High Court ruling in 2011. Since claiming ownership, Ruto has welcomed notable figures at the refurbished mansion, including Ghana’s President-elect John Dramani Mahama and the African Union Commission Chairman, Moussa Faki Mahamat.
The President’s ownership has yielded positive outcomes for the local community, evidenced by enhancements in infrastructure and security. Significant improvements, such as the tarmacking of the road leading to the property and the implementation of heightened security measures, have been realized. However, the acquisition had ealier sparked controversy, with ODM leader Raila Odinga raising questions about Ruto's ownership during a campaign rally in 2017.
He further noted the sensitive nature of land issues in Narok County. Historically, Murumbi utilized the estate as a retreat after his political career, spending time between his residences in Nairobi's Muthaiga and the Narok ranch. After his death in 1990 and that of his wife Sheila in 2003, the property fell into a state of neglect, marked by disrepair and an attraction for wildlife, until Ruto’s intervention.
In 2013, an agreement was struck between local residents and the Agriculture Finance Corporation (AFC) regarding the land, following the High Court ruling. Although the AFC had initially aimed to auction the property to recover its loan, they ultimately decided to retain half of the land while selling the other half to a buyer committed to maintaining it. This decision ignited disputes with Murumbi's surviving family members, who have claimed ownership and threatened legal action.
Ruto’s transformation of the estate has revitalized both the property and the fortunes of the surrounding community.