The Standard Group Plc, a leading multi-media house in Kenya, has expressed concerns over the recent forceful takeover of land belonging to the family of the late President Daniel arap Moi. The property, registered under Willowdale Investments Limited, has been held by the family since 1996 and lies adjacent to Eldoret State Lodge. General Service Unit (GSU) officers raided the five-acre parcel on October 16, 2026, and ordered workers out, reportedly on orders from the State House.
The takeover has been condemned as an affront to the rule of law and the constitutional protection of private property. Article 40 of the Constitution protects the property right, and the law prescribes clear procedures for the compulsory acquisition of private land and the recovery of any irregularly allocated land. If the State believes that the Moi land was illegally acquired, it must move to court, present its evidence, and abide by the outcome.
Despite a matter seeking to stop the invasion pending before the Environment and Land Court in Eldoret, trees are being felled on the land, and trenches are being dug for a new perimeter wall. The actions of the State House have been described as unfathomable in a country governed by the rule of law. Verbal instructions and the deployment of security personnel are not lawful instruments of repossession.
The incident has raised concerns about the security of property rights in Kenya, particularly for ordinary citizens. If land belonging to a prominent family that has a title deed for the same can be taken in this manner, one wonders what would happen to ordinary Kenyans' property. The police officers' decision to decline recording the owners' statement when they went to report the invasion has also been criticized.
The grabbing of private property can only embolden land grabbers out there, who might interpret the development as proof that might, not title deed, is what determines ownership. The State should withdraw its security officers from the land, halt all construction, and submit this dispute to the courts. A government that demands respect for the law must be the first to obey it.
The Standard Group Plc has emphasized the importance of upholding the rule of law and protecting property rights. The company has a long history of promoting credible journalism and holding those in power accountable. In this case, they are calling for the State to respect the law and allow the courts to resolve the dispute.
The incident has sparked a national conversation about the importance of protecting property rights and upholding the rule of law. Kenyans are urged to stand with The Standard in the pursuit of credible journalism and to demand that the government respects the law. The company is offering its readers a chance to subscribe to its newsletter and stay updated on the latest developments.
Key points
- The forceful takeover of land belonging to the late President Daniel arap Moi's family has raised concerns about the rule of law and property rights in Kenya.
- The incident has sparked a national conversation about the importance of protecting property rights and upholding the rule of law.
- The State should withdraw its security officers from the land, halt all construction, and submit this dispute to the courts.
