NCIC Commissioner's family fights alleged land grab by Trans Nzoia County

A land ownership dispute has emerged between the family of National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) Commissioner, Engineer Philip Okoth Okundi, and the Trans Nzoia County Government over legality and land rights near Kitale’s new county headquarters.

A 1.25-acre parcel of land valued at approximately Sh6.5 million is at the center of the dispute. The family, through their property manager Raphael Ololo, maintains a valid 99-year lease title dating back to June 1, 1994.

“This land has been in the family’s hands for decades under a legally acquired lease. We were shocked to see the county taking steps to occupy and build on it without our consent,” Ololo told journalists.

The standoff reportedly began after the family received informal communication from a senior county official expressing interest in purchasing the property.

“I was called and informed that the county wanted to buy plots 161 and 162. We had several meetings, and it was agreed that a final meeting would be held to communicate the way forward. That meeting never happened,” Ololo recounted.

Instead, he claims, the county government moved to court and secured an order to authorise police assistance in constructing a perimeter wall on land the family insists is still privately owned. To their astonishment, the court documents allegedly included a response from Jephate Ekidor, a long-deceased neighbor who died in 2001.

“We cannot understand how a dead man could respond to a legal application. It casts serious doubt on the authenticity of the entire process,” said Ololo.

He added that a title deed cannot be revoked without notifying or involving the legal landowner. “If the county believes it has a legitimate claim, let it produce documents. We are ready to negotiate peacefully and transparently, but not under threats or force,” he said.

Ololo called on the Ministry of Lands, through Ardhi House, to intervene and establish the true status of ownership.

“We need clarity. The public deserves to know whether this land is privately owned or belongs to the county.” Oloo demanded.

However, Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya has dismissed the family’s claims, insisting the land belongs to the Department of Agriculture.

“This is public land. We are asking the national government to support our efforts to evict the illegal occupants so that the perimeter wall construction can proceed,” Natembeya said.