Four who tried to grab Uhuru’s land detained

Four men who allegedly encroached on private land in the upmarket Karen area of Nairobi owned by President Uhuru Kenyatta will cool their heels at the Muthaiga Police Station for two days.

They will record statements and help investigators to arrest more people involved in the attempted grabbing.

Milimani Senior Resident Magistrate Jane Kamau directed that the four be freed on police cash bail of Sh30,000 each this Friday.

The suspects are accused of obtaining a fake title deed to the private property.

They are Mohamed Muhamud Wako, alias Hussein Mohamed, James Owino Opere, Jonah Salun Tuuko and Samakin Lesingiran.

Ms Kamau said police had seized the alleged forged title deed, which the suspects intended to use to dupe unsuspecting Kenyans into purchasing plots at the site.

Prosecutor Fredrick Kimathi said the investigations revolve around land grabbing. He said police are investigating the offences of conspiracy to defraud, forgery of title, obtaining registration by pretences and forcible entry.

Forcible entry

The magistrate heard that on January 3, the suspects went into the land (L.R. No.1159/88) without the permission of its owner.

The four began searching for boundary markers (beacons) and were suspected to be planning to sell the land on Windy Ridge Lane Karen to unsuspecting members of the public.

“I urge this court to grant the seven days sought by Sgt (Lawson) Shuma to track down other persons teaming up with the suspects behind the forcible entry, noting that it is the property of a prominent leader,” Mr Kimathi said.

He added: “Due to security reasons I wish not to disclose his name.”

The suspects are represented by defence lawyers Danstan Omari and Shadrack Wamboi, who asked for the suspects to be freed on bond.

“The suspects have disclosed to me that police told them the land belongs to President Uhuru Kenyatta,” Mr Omari said.

The matter will be mentioned on January 12.

[email protected]