A woman at the heart of a fierce land dispute involving the Ministry of Defence has been charged with forgery, casting a spotlight on what prosecutors call an attempt to defraud the government.

Miriam Kubai, wielding power of attorney for the Leseru Tebeson Farmers Society, appeared before the Chief Magistrate’s Court in Eldoret on Tuesday.

She faces accusations of forging a certificate of confirmation of a grant, allegedly to misrepresent ownership of a contested parcel of land near Moi Barracks in Uasin Gishu County.

The prosecution claims the forged document bore the false authority of the High Court in Kakamega, purporting to be an official court-issued certificate.

Investigators say this was part of a scheme to illegally seize land claimed by the Ministry of Defence.

“This is a serious matter involving not only forgery but an alleged attempt to mislead government authorities and illegally alter land ownership records,” a court official, speaking on condition of anonymity, remarked after the hearing.

Kubai, who pleaded not guilty, was released on a bond of KSh1.25 million. The case has drawn significant interest due to the military’s involvement and the broader implications for land disputes in the region.

The case will be mentioned on May 12, 2025, as both parties prepare for what promises to be a high-stakes legal showdown.

Authorities have cautioned the public against tampering with official land records, warning that “any attempt to deceive the state will be met with the full force of the law.”