Ringtone and Kagure Face Fraud Allegations in Nairobi Property Disputes

Gospel artist Alex Apoko, widely recognised as Ringtone, and politician Agnes Kagure find themselves entangled in a series of high-profile land disputes in Nairobi’s affluent neighbourhoods. 

Apoko is currently facing criminal charges of fraud, stemming from allegations that he unlawfully attempted to seize ownership of a KSh50 million (approximately $375,000 USD) property in the upscale Runda area. Teresiah Adhiambo Odhiambo, the complainant in the case, alleges that the musician conspired with others to illegally take possession of her land, disrupting her rightful ownership through dubious legal manoeuvres.

This is not an isolated incident for the gospel artist. Apoko’s history is riddled with land disputes dating back several years, attracting both public attention and legal scrutiny. In 2023, he was accused of illegally occupying a home in Karen that was registered under the name of the late Kongkong Paulino Matip, a South Sudanese national. Apoko, along with five co-accused, faced charges of malicious property damage and assault at Kibera Law Courts, all of which they denied.

Further compounding his legal woes, in 2016, Apoko was accused of attempting to forcefully take possession of a house in Runda by evicting the occupants. The property was reportedly linked to a deceased foreigner, whose family claimed decades-long residency. Apoko countered these claims, asserting that he had been paying rent and residing there for two years.

The legal battles intensified in 2021 when Apoko became embroiled in a courtroom dispute over his alleged fraudulent acquisition of another residence in Runda. This property was linked to the late Mona Ingegard Bjorklund, who passed away in 2007. The estate administrator initiated legal proceedings against Apoko to reclaim the property. A key element in the case is the contested will of Bjorklund, which has complicated efforts to determine rightful ownership. In early 2024, Justice Hillary Chemitei ruled that Apoko had violated prior court orders maintaining the status quo on the property.

As the Environment and Land Court (ELC) in Nairobi deliberated on the matter, the High Court's Family Division was simultaneously considering the legal standing of the estate’s administration. Justice Oscar Angote suspended an ongoing case concerning the late Bjorklund’s estate, deferring further hearings until succession issues were resolved by the family division, highlighting the intricate legal challenges surrounding the property.

Apoko argues that Daniel Carling, the estate administrator, has no legitimate connection to the late Bjorklund’s affairs. He challenges the validity of the power of attorney under which Carling is purportedly operating, claiming that it lacks legal registration and does not authorise the administrator to act on behalf of the estate. Apoko claims that Bjorklund rescued him from street life, providing shelter, education, and financial support. Based on this history, he seeks to overturn the legal authority granted to Carling in managing the estate.

Meanwhile, the legal proceedings linked to Ms. Odhiambo’s Runda property have taken a criminal turn. The State alleges that Apoko, alongside co-accused Alfred Ayora, attempted to seize the land by invoking adverse possession laws, asserting that they had occupied the property continuously for over two decades. The charges against the duo include conspiracy to defraud, false swearing, and perjury. 

Court documents indicate that Ms. Odhiambo reported that Apoko and his associates forcefully entered her residence, ousting the caretaker in an alleged attempt to unlawfully claim ownership. The ELC has issued temporary injunctive orders barring Apoko and his associates from interfering with the disputed land. The accused, in turn, maintain that their occupation has been uninterrupted and visible for over twenty years, a claim they argue demonstrates their entitlement to the property. 

Government agencies, including the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), have provided crucial evidence in the case. Records supplied by the Chief Land Registrar trace the land’s transition from the National Housing Corporation to Samuel Njuguna Kimani, followed by its transfer to Ms. Odhiambo in the year 2000. Additionally, municipal records confirm that Ms. Odhiambo received regulatory approvals before constructing her home, where she has resided since 2009.