Kalonzo Escalates Yatta Land Dispute, Defends Ownership And Hits Back At Ruto Claims
Politics Updated: 23 June 2026 17:13 EAT
Photo courtesy: Wiper Patriotic Front Party Leader Stephen Kalonzo Musyoka
Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka has intensified his criticism of President William Ruto over the long-running dispute involving land in Yatta, rejecting allegations linking him to the National Youth Service (NYS) property and insisting the transactions were lawful and properly documented. He maintained that the narrative that the land was grabbed from NYS is misleading and unsupported by court findings and administrative records.
“Pasture Holdings is listed as one of the petitioners because this, the land they're talking about, by the way, is right inside land owned by many other people. So Kenyans must know it is, it has nothing to do with NYS. NYS may be neighbors, but NYS themselves have written to say they have no interest in the matter...”
Kalonzo argued that the disputed parcel lies within an area occupied by multiple private landowners and is not exclusively tied to NYS. He stated that the service itself had previously indicated it had no direct interest in the matter, a position he says undermines claims that the land is state-owned NYS property.
“...there's a specific rule finding by the court—court's High Court judge which restrained anybody from talking about this type of thing because she made a finding that Pasture Holdings bought legally and properly, the land that Mr. William Ruto is talking about...”
He further referenced a High Court determination that, according to him, recognised Pasture Holdings as having legally acquired the land in question. Kalonzo said the court had also issued orders discouraging public misrepresentation of ownership pending legal clarity on the dispute.
“...and the land had been, first of all, allotted to a widow by the name, Janet Chepchumba, I think Janet has since moved to the US, that's where she lives, and lawyers were Kipkenda, Kipkenda Chebet...”
According to Kalonzo, one portion of the land was originally allocated to a widow identified as Janet Chepchumba, who later sold it through formal legal channels. He stated that the transaction was executed with full compliance procedures, including agreements processed through advocates and payment of required statutory fees.
He also cited another segment of the property that he said was sold to Pasture Holdings by a company identified as Betraco, allegedly associated with a private owner named Major Langat. Kalonzo insisted that the transfer was properly executed, supported by stamped agreements and lawful conveyancing documentation.
“...The other piece was sold to Pasture Holdings by a company called Betraco. which was also, owned by Major Langat. This particular thing, is very interesting because, this was a properly—properly executed sale agreement, stamp duty paid and everything paid...”
Kalonzo stressed that both transactions followed standard legal procedures under Kenyan property law, including registration and payment of stamp duty. He argued that repeated political references to NYS involvement ignore documented ownership history and judicial directions on the matter.
The opposition leader said the controversy has persisted for years despite what he described as clarifications through court-related processes and public explanations. He called for closure of the matter, arguing that it has been repeatedly revived for political purposes.
“...but I think we must bring the matter to closure. And and as we do so, I want to challenge Mr. William Ruto to also respond to obvious allegations. Some of them are true because he was convicted of dispossessing the late Gilbert Muteshi and actually ordered to pay a fine of 5 million shillings, right?...”
Shifting his remarks, Kalonzo challenged President Ruto to respond to a wider set of historical allegations involving land and governance issues. He referenced past court cases and public controversies, including the well-known dispute involving the late Gilbert Muteshi, where Ruto was previously ordered to pay damages.
“...The story about Weston Hotel, the teargassing of schoolchildren, the Murumbi land in Kilgoris—900 or so acres—the critical land, bill, Mau Mau critical land, and people, Taveta, whom he has actually dispossessed and continues to—to dispossess them of the land...”
He also cited other long-standing allegations in public discourse, including disputes linked to Weston Hotel, claims involving public land in Kilgoris, and allegations concerning land in Taveta and Mau Mau-related allocations. Kalonzo said such matters have remained part of Kenya’s political and legal debate for years.
Kalonzo further referenced past corruption allegations raised during earlier administrations, including claims linked to maize procurement scandals and ministerial accountability issues. He argued that political leaders should be subject to consistent scrutiny regardless of office.
“...and and elsewhere earning him himself the title 'Mr. Arap Mashamba'. I think, Mr.—to remember this. but I like this because we should be open all—the scams about maize scandal, and by the way, one time he was dismissed by both Raila and Kibaki from cabinet for corruption...”
According to Kalonzo, public scrutiny should extend to full disclosure of assets held by senior officials, including the presidency. He said transparency in ownership records would help resolve recurring political accusations over land and wealth accumulation.
“...Let Kenyans interrogate this allegation for example, and let Mr. William Ruto... so have even if as president he can't do this, let his office put on record exactly what he owns. When we take over from him next year, God willing, we will be very strict about audit of lifestyle of leaders...”
He also called for institutionalised lifestyle audits for elected leaders, arguing that asset growth should be verifiable against legitimate income sources. Kalonzo said such measures would strengthen public trust in governance.
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FELIX MAKONA
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