Lands Cabinet Secretary Alice Wahome has denied allegations that she is an interested party in a dispute over a prime property estimated at Sh1.3 billion.

Wahome told MPs that her only involvement in the 18-acre piece of land located in the Loresho area was in her capacity as the CS in charge of lands.

She told the National Assembly’s Departmental Committee on Lands, chaired by North Mugirango MP Joash Nyamoko, that the parcel belongs to Ashok Rupshi Shah and not former Provincial Commissioner Davis Chelogoi.

In her submission before MPs, Wahome explained that her tour of the land in the company of Ashok was only to prove to Kenyans that the government is keen on addressing land matters.

In March last year, armed youths guarding the disputed land locked the gates and temporarily detained CS Wahome when she visited the prime land to assist the rightful owners in accessing the expansive parcel along Lower Kabete Road, following a court order.

On Tuesday, Ms. Wahome disclosed that apart from the Loresho land case, she had also personally dealt with other land issues such as the Lavington Primary School land, where she was able to issue a title deed for their eight acres that had been grabbed, and another land matter located in Upper Hill.

“I have no interest in this parcel of land. There are a few of my officers who got involved and behaved in a manner that is not acceptable, and that is why I visited this area. My visit there was because there was fraud, and I was going to deal with it,” she said.

The CS added:

 “I know I could be accused of taking the matter personally, but I am not. Sometimes our involvement in these matters is because we want to demonstrate our stand as a ministry.”

The Lands CS told MPs that all the documents Chelogoi do not emanate from her office.

 “Chelogoi has been charged with fraudulent transactions on this land. At the time I went there, the court had given orders that the police assist in the removal of goons. I say goons because I know that Chelogoi does not belong there. It was goons who were there, and I saw them with my own eyes.”

The minister said it was a mystery that Chelogoi, who claims to have occupied the land since 1994, only obtained a title in 2021.

“What we have submitted before you (MPs) are the records we have in the ministry. If Chelogoi claims to be the owner of the land, then let him bring documents that are credible and verifiable.”

The MPs told the CS that they have details showing that Chelogoi had occupied the land for the last 27 years and had even developed it by planting blue gum.

“Madam CS, as a committee we are not siding with anyone. What we are doing is trying to unravel the truth about this matter,” Committee chairman Nyamoko said.

Kaloleni MP Paul Katana told Wahome that she is being accused of being conflicted in the matter as she visited the disputed land accompanied by Ashok, adding that the committee was in possession of a report from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) calling for the arrest of Ashok over fraud in relation to the property.

“Why Kenyans think you are conflicted is because you physically went there, yet there are so many land disputes in this country that you have not involved yourself in. Kenyans are asking what authority the CS is using to take the land,” Katana said.

Kirinyaga Central MP Joseph Gitari said he is in possession of letters from the registrar of land recalling the title deed Chelogoi is holding so that it can be destroyed.

 He added that they are also in possession of another letter stating that the survey done by Ashok was not supported by the Survey of Kenya.

“I have not seen any explicit judgment on this matter allowing you to go and settle Ashok on that land,” Gitari, who is a surveyor by profession, said. By GEOFFREY MOSOKU, The Star