Ministry claims controversial Karen land belongs to Jos Konzolo, as Sonko enjoins himself in case

Nairobi Senator Mike Sonko (in yellow cap) at the piece of land in Karen, Nairobi that has brought ownership controversy. (Photo:Courtesy)

Nairobi, Kenya: The ministry of lands now says that the contested 134.4 acres of prime land in Karen valued at Sh8 billion does not belong to businessman Da Gama Rose.

Instead, the ministry says that documents in their registry show that the registered proprietor is former NSSF managing trustee’s Jos Konzolo’s Telesocurce.Com limited.

 In a sworn affidavit filed in the high court, Deputy Chief Lands Registrar Geoffrey Swanya Birundu says Telesource.Com obtained the land after purchasing it from John Kamau Mugo on October 21, 2005.

“That I am aware that according to our records Telesoruce.Com is the registered proprietor of land reference L.R 3586/3 I.R 3187 having emanated from the original title registered in the name of John Mugo Kamau,” the affidavit adds.

This response has deepened the mystery of the real owner of the prime land, as it contradicts a statement by National Land Commission Chairman Muhammad Swazuri who insisted the land belongs to Da Gama Rose.

“The documents that I have seen indicate that the plot belongs to Muchanga limited,” Swazuri said adding that his commission will meet this week to discuss the matter.

Monday, it emerged that Nairobi senator Mike Mbuvi Sonko has drawn himself into the matter after he visited the plot at the weekend. The flamboyant senator was photographed at the property with several armed police officers last Friday.

However Sonko denied that he had been allocated a parcel of land saying he was involving himself to help a widow who had sought his help.

“This poor widow of the late Mburu, Mrs Carmelina Ngami Mburu, came to my office after she was shortchanged and I went there to ascertain the truth. Following my visit, I intend to enjoin myself in the case to ensure that the widow’s rights are preserved,” he told The Standard when reached on phone.

Last week, Nairobi based businessman and lawyer Da Gama Rose mentioned Ngilu's Personal Assistant and Nairobi County Administration Police boss of aiding in the grabbing of his Sh8 billion .

Da Gama said that Ms. Ngilu's PA Mary Ndunga and Nairobi County AP Commandant Francis Mburu instructed police officers and unknown people to forcefully take over the 134.4 acres of prime land in Nairobi's Karen area in spite a court order stopping the acquisition.

Da Gama Rose's Muchanga limited moved to court last month and obtained order restraining the ministry of lands and  Konzolo's Telesource.com from encroaching or trespassing on the land.

Da Gama's lawyer Cecil Miller wrote to Ms. Ngilu seeking her intervention to stop the ongoing invasion, subdivision and any development in compliance with the court order.

On September 3, Justice Nyambura Gacheru certified the application by Miller as urgent and restrained the Ministry of Lands from registering any deed plans for the subdivision or issuing any titles.

"Our clients instructions are that on the October 4, persons unknown to our client who were accompanied by officers from the regular and administration police and officials from your ministry who included your personal assistant Mary Ndunga, turned up at our clients property claiming ownership of the same," Miller's letter to Ngilu says.