Former Nairobi Provincial Commissioner Davis Nathan Chelogoi has been sentenced to 14 years in prison for his involvement in a fraudulent scheme to acquire a 7.39-hectare parcel of land in Lower Kabete, Nairobi. The land, valued at Ksh1.35 billion, belongs to businessmen Ashok Rupshi Shah and Hitenkumar Amritlal Raja. Milimani Chief Magistrate Dolphina Alego found Chelogoi guilty of six offences related to the attempted acquisition of the land.
The court sentenced Chelogoi to two years' imprisonment for conspiracy to defraud, two years for forcible detainer, three years for each of the two counts of forgery, three years for uttering a forged document, and one year for procuring registration of land by false pretences. All sentences are to run concurrently. The Director of Public Prosecutions secured the sentence, marking a significant victory in the case against Chelogoi.
According to the court's findings, Chelogoi forged a letter of allotment dated January 31, 1995, purporting to have been issued by the Commissioner of Lands to support his claim to the property. The court also established that on October 11, 2023, Chelogoi knowingly presented forged documents, including the purported letter of allotment and a certificate bearing a forged signature and stamp impression attributed to land registrar Paul Achieng Pesa.
The documents were presented as genuine records to support Chelogoi's claim of ownership and dealings in the disputed property. The prosecution called 19 witnesses and presented documentary and expert evidence to prove the six counts against Chelogoi. The case was prosecuted by Sonia Njoki, Hillary Isiaho, and James Murage.
In a further order, Hon. Alego directed the Land Registrar to cancel any parallel title or registration issued in respect of the property, affirming that the land belongs to Shah and Raja. This ruling aims to restore the rightful ownership of the land and prevent further fraudulent dealings.
The case marks a significant milestone in Kenya's efforts to combat corruption and land fraud. The sentence handed down to Chelogoi demonstrates the government's commitment to holding high-ranking officials accountable for their actions. The DPP's office has been working to secure convictions in several high-profile corruption cases.
The conviction and sentencing of Chelogoi have been welcomed by the public and stakeholders, who see it as a crucial step in the fight against corruption. The case serves as a reminder that no one is above the law, and those found guilty of corruption will face the consequences.
Key points
- Former Nairobi Provincial Commissioner Davis Nathan Chelogoi sentenced to 14 years in prison for Ksh1.35 billion land fraud.
