Kajiado Governor Reveals Mass Fraudulent Title Deeds Issued Before Christmas

Kajiado Governor Joseph Ole Lenku revealed on Wednesday, January 1, that there was a scheme to grab land belonging to residents of the county by some rogue land officials before Christmas.

The said land, a 46,000-acre Tarosei group ranch, is based in Lodokilani in Kajiado West Sub-County, the majority of whose majority members have passed away. This land has become a focal point due to allegations of attempts by certain corrupt land officials to unlawfully acquire it.

According to Ole Lenku, there was an elaborate plan by the cartels to change ownership of the land whose members had passed away over the years.

“A few days ago, after people broke for Christmas holidays, some cartel officials colluding with land officials proceeded to break the law and produce title deeds against the law without subjecting the processes to county approvals,” he lamented.

The members of the ranch now claim that a section of national government administration officers are colluding with land officials in the county to execute a mega land-grabbing scheme.

Since the chairman of the ranch, Maimpi Olekatie, and his treasurer were taken ill five years after losing their eyesight through old age, the members claim that one of the officials in the ranch is spearheading the grabbing, allegedly with the protection of a section of the National Government Administration Officers (NGAOs).

The Kajiado County Government vowed to stop any further subdivision of the land, maintaining that they will see due procedures are followed and the rightful beneficiaries receive their share.

The governor noted the unlawful issuance of the title deeds is what led the residents to block one of the roads, protesting the move they termed unlawful.

“That is the reason this community blocked this road, and they have stood firm demanding that all the titles be issued without the consent of members of Tarosei Ranch should be cancelled,” he said.

The Governor noted that an annual general meeting must be called for members to vote on what they want their land used for going forward.

The Tarosei group ranch has a significant history tied to its members, many of whom have passed away. This demographic shift raises questions about land succession and ownership rights. 

In communal land systems, when members die without clear succession plans or legal documentation, their shares can become contested or vulnerable to exploitation by unscrupulous individuals.

Land grabbing is a serious issue in many parts of the country, often involving manipulation of legal frameworks or outright fraud. Such actions not only threaten the livelihoods of remaining community members but also undermine trust in governmental institutions meant to protect citizens’ rights.