Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua was named the legitimate owner of a disputed land situated near the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) worth Sh1.5 billion, three officials of the Ministry of Lands told the court.
The three, led by the Chief Land Registrar, said that Rigathi Gachagua is the rightful owner of the property measuring five acre. And not Micheal Ohas, a retired civil servant, who is also laying claim of ownership. Gachagua who is the MD of Wamunyoro, has been battling over the ownership of the property after John Ohas and Colombus laid claim to it.
The witnesses, Nyandoro David Nyambaso (senior assistant chief land registrar), Wilfred Muchae (principal land surveyor attached to the Office of the Director Surveys, Ruaraka) and Gorden Odeka Ochieng (director of land administration) stated that records at the ministry indicate that Mr Gachagua is the legal owner.
In their separate court filings, the ministry officials said the title deed held by Mr Gachagua’s company, Wamunyoro Investments Ltd, is genuine and forms part of the Land Registry’s records. The title was issued in 2012.
In documents filed before the Environment and Lands Court, Nyandoro David said the title issued to Colombus Limited was irregularly issued as the title for Wamunyoro Investments Limited was already in existence. And said the other title issued to Mr Ohas’ company, Columbus Two Thousand Ltd, in 2019 is irregular and ought to be cancelled.
“The title held by Columbus Two Thousand Ltd was irregularly issued as the title for Wamunyoro Investment was already in existence and the same had not been legally revoked and/or cancelled. Under these circumstances, the title held by Columbus Two Thousand Ltd ought to be cancelled unless the court declares otherwise,” said Mr Nyambaso.