A bitter feud has erupted within the powerful Cheluget family as the Kenyan government moves closer to purchasing their highly coveted 5,800-acre contested Narok land.
While the family had initially agreed to sell the land, a dramatic twist has cast a shadow over the deal. At the center of the storm is Moses Kipkirui Cheluget, a man the family now claims is not a legitimate heir.
With allegations of fraud and imposture swirling, questions are mounting over how this internal war will affect the high-stakes sale. Will the state’s plan to acquire the land collapse under the weight of family betrayal?
Family Rift Threatens Sale of Contested Narok Land
A new twist has emerged in the ongoing dispute over the 5,800-acre contested Narok land belonging to the late Isaiah Cheluget. The family has publicly rejected claims by Moses Kipkirui Cheluget that he is a rightful heir, accusing him of being an impostor trying to derail the sale.
In an official statement, the family urged Kenyans to disregard Kipkirui’s assertions that no talks had occurred between the family and President William Ruto regarding the government’s plan to buy the land.
Kipkirui had insisted there were no official discussions and that the family lacked a valid signatory since a succession case was still pending. But in a firm rebuttal, the family’s representatives declared that the matter had already been settled by the High Court in Kericho, with a confirmed grant issued on June 12, 2018.
The family’s statement not only dismissed Kipkirui’s claims but also questioned his very identity. According to the family, Kipkirui had previously moved to court in 2017 seeking to be recognized as the biological son of the late Isaiah Cheluget.
He had even requested a court order for DNA testing via exhumation of the late patriarch’s remains. However, the High Court threw out his petition, rejecting the DNA request on procedural and cultural grounds.
“Mr. Cheluget previously filed a case in 2017 seeking to be recognised as the biological son of the late Isaiah Cheluget. However, his petition was dismissed by the High Court, which declined his request for DNA testing via exhumation,” the family said in their statement.
The court ruling effectively stripped Kipkirui of any legal standing in matters concerning the estate. The family emphasized that he is a stranger to the ongoing process and lacks any authority to speak or act on behalf of the estate.
Who Holds Power Over the Contested Narok Land?
At the heart of this heated dispute is a battle over legitimacy and power. The family’s press conference, led by Ambassador Nancy Kirui, gathered key estate representatives who denounced Kipkirui’s claims and reaffirmed their trust in the government’s intervention.
“The family of the late Isaiah Kiplangat Cheluget has been in ongoing discussions with the President’s representatives, including the PS for Lands, the Governor of Narok, and the Director for Settlements, to ensure an amicable resolution,” the statement read.
They stressed that Isaiah Cheluget had personally appealed to the government to step in and resolve the long-standing land issues before his death. Now, the family says they are honoring his wishes by cooperating with state efforts to acquire the land for public benefit.
But Kipkirui’s accusations have thrown a wrench into the process, raising fears that his interference could stall or derail the sale. Some analysts warn that if legal challenges or disputes resurface, the government could be forced to delay payments or even suspend the acquisition.
Will Internal Betrayal Sink the Deal?
The Chelugut family’s rejection of Kipkirui has exposed deep cracks within their ranks at a critical time. With the government eyeing the contested Narok land for settlement and development projects, any uncertainty over rightful ownership risks complicating the transaction.
According to sources close to the family, Kipkirui’s actions have sparked anger and frustration among relatives, who accuse him of trying to sabotage a deal that would bring closure to a decades-long dispute.
“This is someone who was rejected by the court. He has no standing, no rights. Yet he keeps going around making statements as if he represents us,” one family insider told reporters.
Observers note that such infighting could provide ammunition to opponents of the land sale, including political figures and activists skeptical of the state’s intentions in Narok.
Already, murmurs are growing among local leaders questioning whether the sale serves the community’s interests or merely benefits a few elite stakeholders.
What Lies Ahead for the Contested Narok Land?
As the government pushes forward with plans to buy the contested Narok land, the Chelugut family’s internal battle has cast a long shadow over the process. The family has vowed to proceed with the sale under the leadership of the confirmed estate administrators, but Kipkirui’s continued claims threaten to muddy the waters.
Legal experts say the High Court ruling against Kipkirui provides a strong shield for the family’s position, but warn that any fresh litigation or public controversy could delay implementation of the government’s settlement plans.
For now, the fate of the contested Narok land hangs in the balance. While the family remains determined to honor their late patriarch’s wishes, the specter of betrayal and imposture risks derailing a deal that has been years in the making.
As the political and legal drama unfolds, all eyes remain fixed on whether the Chelugut family can overcome internal divisions—and whether the government’s ambitions for the contested Narok land will survive this latest twist.
