An Eldoret court has summoned the Principal Registrar of Persons to clarify a contentious land ownership dispute in Uasin Gishu County. The case involves two families fighting over a 30-acre prime agricultural property, valued at Ksh.30 million, located in Kaptagat Settlement Scheme, Ainabkoi Sub-County.
Justice Robert Wananda issued the directive, requiring the senior government official to appear before the court on July 21. The summon follows a peculiar twist in the case, where both parties presented conflicting death certificates that bear variations in names and differences in the year of death of the alleged original landowner.
The dispute revolves around determining whether the late Philip Cherono or the late Paul Kibet Cherono legally owned the contested land. According to Clady Cheruiyot, the elder son of Philip Cherono, his father passed away in 1976, as stated in the death certificate his family submitted. On the other hand, Abraham Chebii, a senior driver with the Judicial Service Commission, contends that his father, Paul Cherono, died in 1997, based on the death certificate he presented.
The two families have been engaged in a prolonged legal battle, each asserting rightful ownership of the property since the passing of their respective patriarchs. The inconsistencies in the official records have raised concerns about possible forgery or administrative errors within the civil registration system.
Justice Wananda emphasized the need for the Principal Registrar to clarify the authenticity of the documents and determine which family rightfully owns the land. The judge’s directive underscores the importance of accurate civil records in resolving land disputes, which remain a significant source of conflict in Kenya.
Land ownership conflicts are common in the country, often exacerbated by fraudulent documentation, unclear succession processes, and loopholes in land registry records. This case highlights the challenges faced by courts in adjudicating such matters, particularly when government records appear to contradict each other.
The court’s decision after the Principal Registrar’s appearance on July 21 could be pivotal in settling the dispute, providing clarity on the rightful heirs to the property. Meanwhile, both families remain hopeful that justice will prevail in what has become a high-stakes legal battle.
