Talks underway between Cheluget family and State over Narok South land

The family of the late Isaiah Kiplangat Cheluget has confirmed they are in discussions with the government over the future of a contested piece of land in Narok South, which has been home to hundreds of people for more than 15 years.

Nancy Kirui, a former Principal Secretary and one of the estate's administrators, said the family is open to the state’s plans to buy the land and use it to resettle the families already living there.

She said they had already made a formal offer for the land and have held several meetings with top government officials.

"We, the family of the late Isaiah Kiplangat Cheluget, the legally appointed administrators and beneficiaries of his estate, are in agreement with His Excellency the President’s statements at Sogoo, Narok South," Kirui said while addressing reporters in Nairobi on Saturday.

Kirui revealed that they have met with senior government figures, including the Principal Secretary for Lands, the Narok Governor, and the Director of Settlements, to find a long-term solution to the land matter.

The property in question, known as L.R. No. ILMOTIOK/CIS-MARA/54 is 5.8 acres and has been inhabited by around 600 people since the early 2000s.

"Our late father had on multiple occasions sought an amicable solution with the government before his passing in 2017. We are grateful to His Excellency the President and the Governor of Narok for their commitment to resolving this matter," she added.

The family emphasized that the issue of the estate’s management had already been addressed legally.

Kirui said the High Court in Kericho issued a confirmation of grant on June 12, 2018, officially naming the estate administrators.

Those appointed include Cheluget’s widow Raeli Chepkurgat Cheluget and three others—Johnstone Kipkoech Langat, Laurence Kimutai Langat, and Kenneth Kipvegon Langat.

She urged the public not to listen to anyone making claims over the estate without legal authority.

"We have held several meetings with the President’s representatives, including the Principal Secretary for Lands, the Governor of Narok, and the Director of Settlements, as we work toward a lasting solution," she said.

The President addressed the land issue during a recent visit to Sogoo, where he said the government had reached an agreement with the family to acquire the land for resettlement.

"We have held discussions with the Cheluget (family) and we have agreed as the government that we are going to buy that land and allocate it to those people so that they can continue living there," he told residents.

He also directed the Deputy County Commissioner in Amalo to work closely with relevant agencies to ensure the matter is handled promptly.

Despite the long-standing occupation, the Cheluget family maintains that they have full legal ownership of the land and have won several court cases, both at the High Court and the Court of Appeal, confirming this.