Ex-MCA and friend linked in Sh30m land fraud

Former Kapkures MCA Paul Kimutai and his friend Richard Kipngeno have a case to answer in a Sh30 million land fraud and forgery case, a Nakuru court has ruled.

Senior Resident Magistrate Priscah Nyotah ordered Kimutai and Kipngeno to defend themselves following a six-year trial.

Nyotah said the evidence presented by prosecution witnesses, exhibits, and expert testimonies had linked the two individuals to forgery and fraud involving land in Miti Mingi, Mbarut, within Nakuru county.

She said the MCA and his friend faced six charges related to forgery, fraud, creating a false document, and providing false information to the authorities.

The court also observed that Kimutai had been connected to the forgery of his deceased father’s signature to illicitly transfer land to himself and Kipngeno.

Nyotah said police investigations had concluded that Kimutai and Kipngeno had forged title deeds for the 6.60-hectare land, which was estimated to be worth Sh30 million.

“The prosecution has built a strong case against the accused persons, and the evidence indicates that they have a case to answer. They are hereby placed on their defence,” she said.

Kimutai and Kipngeno were arrested on July 12, 2017, and were subsequently charged. However, they denied the six charges brought against them. Initially, they were accused of forging the title deed with the intent to defraud Josiah Njoroge, the owner of the land.