Former Special Branch Chief Wins Land Fight Worth Ksh10 Billion
The family of the late Director of Security Intelligence (Special Branch), James Kanyotu, has won a judicial battle over a Sh10 billion plot of land in Ruiru, Kiambu County.
The Environment and Land Court ruled that the 500-acre property remained part of Kangaita Coffee Estate Limited, in which Kanyotu was the dominant shareholder.
The decision resolves a long-running dispute involving many companies and alleged transactions.
Justice Oguttu Mboya issued his decision on July 10, 2025, ruling that the land sale was unconstitutional, null, and void.
When you get Unexplained Wealth,Ukifa all the money goes to Lawyers as Family Members Fight for it!!
— Mutembei TV (@MutembeiTV) June 10, 2025
Now The family of the late spymaster James Kanyotu decries exploitation by lawyers who have been colluding with senior Ministry of lands officials to swindle them properties owned… pic.twitter.com/uT0DJbiJtT
The court determined that previous rulings granted in 2010 in a succession matter involving Kanyotu’s estate specifically forbade any deals with the land, rendering any subsequent transactions illegal.
Despite these limits, the court heard that Kangaita Coffee Estate’s land was allegedly transferred to Trendsetters Investments Limited for Sh700 million, then to Marriott Africa International Limited for Sh750 million.
Marriott then transferred the land to Ukombozi Holdings Limited.
Marriott’s director, Abdul Dawood Hassan, testified before the court that the business paid Sh750 million for the land and Sh15 million in stamp duty.
“While still under cross-examination, the witness testified that the suit property was sold for the sum of Sh750,000,000 only,” the judgment read.
“Furthermore, the witness testified that the Plaintiff bought the entire suit property and not a portion thereof.”
The director further indicated that Marriott’s principal shareholder was Ukrainian and denied any involvement with the other parties identified in the proceedings.
However, the court heard that Marriott and Trendsetters have the same corporate address, raising concerns about the corporations’ tight association.
Margaret Nyakinyua Murigu, one of Kanyotu’s widows and a director of Kangaita Coffee Estate Ltd, testified that she was not contacted about the sale of the estate.
She told the court that she was unaware of the transactions until long after they occurred.
She also added that neither the corporation nor the beneficiaries of Kanyotu’s estate got any funds from the alleged sale.
Nyakinyua further alleged that she was approached with an offer of Sh50 million by one Kamlesh Pattni to withdraw the complaint.
She denied the offer, claiming that the land belonged to the Kangaita Coffee fortune and was still part of her late husband’s fortune.
“Moreover, the witness testified that one Kamlesh Pattni has tried to reach out to her and tried to persuade her to leave the case herein,” the judgment read.
“Furthermore, the witness testified that same has even been offered Sh50,000,000 only. However, the witness averred the same declined the offer.”
Another family member, Willy Kihara Kanyotu, testified that Ukombozi Holdings was selling pieces of the land despite existing court orders prohibiting such transactions.
Two forensic document examiners, Chief Inspector Bernard Cheruiyot and Vincent Chelongo, testified that some of the land control board consents used to allow the transactions were fabricated.
“I have returned a finding that Juliana and Mercy did not sign the disputed letters of consent,” Chief Inspector Cheruiyot stated.
“I came to the conclusion that the letters of consent were forgeries. I returned a finding that the letters of consent were forgeries. I formed the opinion that the letters of consent were forgeries.”
His opposition maintained that the putative authors did not sign the land control board consents provided in court.
Another family member, Willy Kihara Kanyotu, also testified that Ukombozi Holdings had been selling portions of the land despite the existing court orders barring such transactions.
“A semblance of due diligence would no doubt have brought to the attention and knowledge of the 1st defendant to the counterclaim the existence of court orders,” the judge observed.
“This, in my humble view, constituted sufficient warning to the 1st defendant to the counterclaim that any sale would be vitiated by illegality.”
The court permanently prohibited Marriott, Trendsetters, Ukombozi, and their representatives from transacting or tampering with the property.
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Justice Oguttu confirmed that Kangaita Coffee Estate Limited remains the lawful owner of the land, which is still part of the late James Kanyotu’s estate.
“A declaration be and is hereby issued that the parcel of land known as L.R No. 11261/76 belongs to the 4th defendant/counterclaimer herein [Kangaita Coffee Estate Ltd] and the alleged sale to Trendsetters and Marriot was null, void, and fraudulent,” Justice Oguttu ruled.
“A declaration be and is hereby issued that the purported sale agreement dated April 19, 2012 between Trendsetters and Marriot is illegal, null, and void, having been entered in contravention of the succession court orders concerning the estate of James Kanyotu.”
With this decision, the Kanyotu family may reclaim complete possession of the land, bringing an end to a lengthy court battle and restoring clarity over the disputed property.
Former Special Branch Chief Wins Land Fight Worth Ksh10 Billion
