Farmer accuses police boss of blocking access to his 80-acre land

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A farmer has accused a senior police officer of blocking him from accessing and occupying a parcel of land he claims to have lawfully acquired in Muskut village, Keiyo South, Elgeyo Marakwet County.

Wilson Kipchumba Chesonok wants action taken against Joseph Kibet Limo, the Commandant of the Anti-Theft Stock Unit (ASTU), whom he accuses of abuse of office and disobedience of court orders.

Kipchumba and Limo are embroiled in a long-running land dispute dating back to 1997. Kipchumba claims he purchased the 80-acre parcel from Limo’s relatives but has never been able to enjoy full ownership rights.

Through his lawyer, Mbugua Macharia & Associates, the retired civil servant has petitioned the Inspector-General of Police, Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA), National Police Service Commission (NPSC) and Internal Affairs Unit (IAU), alleging that Limo has disregarded court orders and police summonses. “Take notice that the complainant herein lodges this formal complaint against Mr Joseph Kibet Limo, Commandant ASTU, for acts amounting to abuse of office, obstruction of justice, interference with police investigations, intimidation of a complainant, and conflict of interest arising from a long-standing land dispute and related criminal complaints,” lawyer Edward Mbugua Macharia states.

According to Macharia, Kipchumba purchased parcels of land from Limo’s close relatives between 1997 and 1999. A dispute subsequently arose and was taken to court. “Subsequent litigation conclusively determined the complainant’s entitlement to the land, including judgments by the 2011 Land Disputes Tribunal, Iten Magistrate’s Court in 2012, and the High Court at Eldoret in 2018,” Macharia says.

Kipchumba alleges that enforcement of the rulings has been frustrated despite multiple criminal complaints lodged at Kimwarer and Muskut police posts and recorded under seven OB numbers.

He further claims that on December 12, 2025, Limo told him he would never allow the transfer of the land and that reporting the matter to police or pursuing court action would be futile.

Kipchumba was allegedly summoned to the Elgeyo Marakwet County Police Commander’s office on March 25 and August 3, 2026, where Limo was expected to chair meetings, raising concerns over conflict of interest and impartiality.