Busia widow, 75, wins land row case

75-year-old Rispa Ong’onga. [Ignatius Odanga, Standard]

The High Court has dismissed a land dispute case filed against a 75-year-old widow by her co-wife's two daughters-in-law.

The ruling by Justice Antony Kaniaru of Environment and Land Court brings to an end the six-year legal battle over a prime property in Busia town.

Beatrice Wanga and Anne Oloo had accused Rispa Ong’onga of disinheriting them of property measuring 0.25 hectares.

The pair, in court documents, argued that the disputed property was registered in the name of their father-in-law Andrea Ong’onga who died in 1983.

They said before his demise, he had demarcated the property which was to be shared between his sons James Oloo and Francis Wanga, now deceased.

The land currently has rental houses and commercial premises constructed on it.

But Rispa told Justice Kaniaru that the plaintiffs were not her children and therefore they are not entitled to the property.

“They (Beatrice and Anne) were married to the sons of my co-wife who had her own portion of land to which they were entitled to,” Rispa told the court.

Kaniaru dismissed the case on the grounds that the duo did not prove their case to the standard required.