CS Wahome orders surrender of contested Loresho land to Ashok Kumar

The CS spoke inside the land at the heart of a prolonged court battle which ended in favour of Kumar. 

CS Wahome gave a 24-hour ultimatum to the Gigiri OCPD to drive out unknown persons who have been occupying the land, and who during the course of the CS’ visit attempted to block access to the parcel of land. 

The Cabinet Secretary had for a brief spell found herself in unfamiliar territory, locked inside the piece of land in Loresho with Ashok Kumar, the owner of the land and his lawyer Suleiman Bashir.

She had gone to guarantee the owner of the 8-acre piece of land, who was locked out of his property.

Security agencies managed to spot the man who locked the gate, forced him to break the padlock, and apprehended him, the CS gave security agencies a 24-hour ultimatum to flush all people illegally occupying the parcel of land.

“I will now direct the OCPD for Gigiri Police Station to carry out an immediate operation not later than tomorrow noon, to remove any person within the premises of this land. After noon midday tomorrow, any other person who then comes including the people employed to hold this land forcefully, must be arrested if they are still on this land,” Wahome said.

The land was subject to prolonged court battles for more than 10 years. The High Court made a ruling in 2022 declaring Ashok Kumar, the owner.

But he was blocked from accessing his property and was informed of another ownership, that of former Nairobi Provincial Commissioner, Davis Nathan Chelogoi and when the office of the chief land registrar summoned both parties, Chelogoi was absent, the registrar made a decision, that Ashok and Hitten Kumar were the legitimate owners of the land

“So, there is absolutely no reason why there should be any other person on this site, other than the true owners of this land. So, I believe that that is the way to go, and as CS I will ask for a report,” she said.

Kumar on his part said: “I here on the ground of my property, together with the CS, and I thank her for receiving my complaint. Sher verified and took some time, but at least today she is on the ground to get back my property.” 

“So, today we are happy and we look forward to the implementation of the directive issued by the CS, to ensure that within 24 hours my client gets back his property. We are appreciative of the CS,” Suleiman Bashir, Ashok’s Lawyer added.

The High Court issued an arrest warrant after Chelogoi failed to appear in court for plea taking where he was jointly charged alongside Assistant Deputy Director in the Lands Administration Office Andrew Aseri Kirungu with conspiracy to defraud a parcel of land valued at Ksh.1.35 billion.