Ruto to face trial over land dispute
Eldoret North MP William Ruto is set to face trial over allegations of grabbing a 100-acre land from a man displaced by Kenya's post-election violence.
This is after Mr Ruto and Adrian Gilbert Muteshi, his accuser, failed to agree on outstanding issues despite an earlier out of court agreement in the dispute.
Mr Ruto had earlier this month agreed to give up the land but declined Mr Muteshi's demand for compensation, as well as bearing the cost of the suit. (READ: Ruto agrees to return IDP’s land in April)
Mr Muteshi had also sought for cancellation of the titles that are in Mr Ruto’s possession.
Anthony Lubulellah, the lawyer representing Mr Muteshi, on Monday told the High Court in Nairobi that the two were unable to agree on the issues title deed, compensation and costs.
The lawyer requested Lady Justice Rose Ougo to allocate two hearing dates so that the court could try the unresolved issues.
The Judge said that the case will proceed to hearing on April 25 and 26.
Mr Muteshi filed the suit in 2010, two years after he fled for safety as violence hit the Rift Valley and other parts of Kenya after the 2007 elections.
He said that he has been the owner of the land and farmed on it since 1989 having acquired it from a white settler.
After the violence, he returned to the farm, but found that Mr Ruto had not only taken over but his workers had been kicked out too, he told the court.
Mr Ruto denied that he grabbed the land.
He said that it was sold to him by Ms Dorothy Jemutai Yator, but authorities later discovered that the title was not properly processed.
