The family of the late Isiah Kiplangat Cheluget has confirmed that it is in agreement with President William Ruto regarding their 5,800-acre parcel of land.
During his tour of Narok County on Thursday, May 8, President Ruto sparked an online debate when he said he had discussions with the late Nyanza Provincial Commissioner regarding the purchase of the said land, for the resettlement of squatters.
“Mimi najua tuko na matatizo mawili hawa wabunge na waheshimiwa wenu wananieleza. Tuko na shamba hapa ya Cheluget imetuletea matatizo siku mingi. Sasa wacha mimi niwaambie. Maneno ya shamba ya Cheluget tumeita Cheluget, tumeketi chini na yeye tumekubaliana hiyo shamba tutanunua kama serikali alafu tutanunua wale wako pale waendelee na kuishi hapo,: President Ruto told residents at Sogoo trading centre in Narok South amid cheers.
Kenyans could not fathom how President Ruto held consultations with a man who died on June 26, 2017, at Aga Khan Hospital in Kisumu.x
‘The president is right’
However, the family of the late administrator on Saturday, May 10 confirmed that indeed they have met on several occasions with representatives of President Ruto.
The family also confirmed that they have met Lands Principal Secretary Nixon Korir, Narok Governor Stephen Ntuntu and the Director for Settlements Kennedy Githunguri Njenga, in a concerted efforts to find a long-lasting solution to the dispute concerning the land.
“Interestingly our father the late Isaiah Kiplangat Cheluget had on several occasions, reached out to the government, looking for a peaceful and amicable resolution,” the family told journalists at Serena Hotel, Nairobi. “Sadly, he passed on before it’s actualization.”
The family, led by Ambassador Nancy Kirui, exuded confidence in the process so far, thanking President Ruto and Governor Ntutu for their determination and resolve to find a “meaningful” solution.
Moses Kipkirui’s controversy
The issue had been further fuelled after a man claiming to be the son of the late PC came out publicly, threatening legal action to stop any transaction on the disputed land.
Moses Kipkirui has accused President Ruto of misleading, not only the local residents, but also Kenyans, insisting that no such talks had ever happened.
“I think he is lying. No one in this family is in talks to sell land which doesn’t even have a signatory and is under succession,” Kipkirui noted.
However, the family has since disowned Kikpkirui, instsing that all matters concerning the succession and the estate of the late Cheluget were “conclusively” settled at the Kericho High Court back in 2018.
“Following the passing of former Provincial Commissioner Isaiah Cheluget in 2017, the Kericho High Court duly appointed his widow, Raeli Chepkurgat Cheluget, alongside Johnstone Kipkoech Langat, Laurence Kimutai Langat, and Kenneth Kipyegon Langat, as the legal administrators of his estate. The family, including former PS Nancy Kirui Cheluget, is currently engaged in structured and lawful negotiations with the Government regarding a disputed 5,800-acre land parcel in Narok.”
In a detailed statement; the family said:
It has come to our attention that Moses Kipkirul Cheluget (also known as Moses Kipkaru Cheruiyot is attempting to interfere with these negotiations. Mr. Cheluget previously filed a case in 2017 seeking to be recognized as a biological son of the late Isaiah Cheluget. However, his petition was dismissed by the High Court, which declined to grant his request for DNA testing via exhumation citing procedural and cultural grounds.
As a result, Mr Moses Cheluget is a stranger in this process and is not legally recognized as beneficiary or administrator of the estate. His current actions have no legal standing and are an attempt to derail a lawful process being carried out by the rightful estate representatives. We urge all parties to disregard any claims or disruptions originating from unauthorized individuals and to allow the ongoing government negotiations to proceed without interference.
