Eldoret Court Halts Hearing in KDF Land Fraud Case as Accused Cites Ill Health
The trio is accused of conspiring to defraud the military of a parcel of land—LR NO. 276/6 IR NO. 194659—spanning over 700 hectares
An Eldoret court was on Monday compelled to adjourn the hearing of a high-profile land fraud case involving three individuals—among them a retired primary school head teacher and a long-serving medical doctor—who stand accused of illegally acquiring Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) property worth billions of shillings.
The case was temporarily halted after the first accused, Wilson Too, an 82-year-old retired educator popularly known as Chepsilongei, appeared before Presiding Chief Magistrate Dennis Mikoyan and pleaded for more time, citing ill health and personal bereavement.
“Your Honour, I pray that you defer the hearing of my case because I am not ready to proceed. I am unwell, having developed health complications this morning. I am also still mourning a close family member whom we lost and buried two weeks ago,” said Chepsilongei, speaking from the dock.
Visibly in discomfort, the octogenarian requested a postponement, assuring the court that he would avail himself for the hearing after receiving medical attention. The court granted his request, rescheduling the hearing to July 17, 2025.
Chepsilongei is charged alongside Dr. Charles Walekhwa, formerly attached to the now-defunct Eldoret Municipal Council, and Kibere Kisorio, a well-known cereal farmer in Uasin Gishu County.
The trio is accused of conspiring to defraud the military of a parcel of land—LR NO. 276/6 IR NO. 194659—spanning over 700 hectares on the outskirts of Eldoret City. The property is under the custodianship of the Kenya Defence Forces and is considered a strategic government asset.
Court records indicate that the alleged fraud dates back to January 1, 2006, and involved the forgery of key land documents, including the creation of a fake land title deed purportedly issued by the Director of Survey.
The case has drawn significant public interest, especially given Kenya’s growing concern over rampant land fraud cases, some involving public officials and politically connected individuals. According to a 2023 report by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC), land fraud remains among the top five most reported forms of corruption in the country.
The prosecution had lined up five key witnesses, including a retired military colonel and a senior officer from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) headquarters in Nairobi, to testify against the accused.
The matter first gained national attention five years ago, when a DCI-led investigation uncovered the alleged forgery, resulting in the arrest of the accused. They were subsequently detained at the Eldoret Central Police Station and arraigned in court.
This case continues to shed light on the scale and complexity of land-related fraud involving public lands in Kenya. The July hearing is expected to provide further clarity on the extent of the conspiracy and the parties involved.
“This is not just about land—it’s about safeguarding national assets and the rule of law,” said a senior government official familiar with the matter, speaking on condition of anonymity.
The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) has reiterated its commitment to pursuing justice in all cases involving public land irregularities, especially those affecting military or strategic installations.
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