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Family of Kenya's longest-serving spy chief wins $77 million land battle

Kenyan court restores $77 million estate to Kanyotu family, voids fraudulent sale of 500-acre land in Ruiru after forged documents exposed.

Family of Kenya's longest-serving spy chief wins $77 million land battle
Late James Kanyotu, Kenya’s longest-serving intelligence chief

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Key Points

  • Kenya’s longest-serving spy chief family wins $77 million land dispute over 500-acre Ruiru estate in landmark court ruling. 
  • Nairobi court invalidates fraudulent land sale, bars Trendsetters and Marriott Africa from further transactions amid forged document claims. 
  • Kanyotu estate’s ownership restored, ending years of legal battle and securing control for the late intelligence chief’s heirs.

The family of the late James Kanyotu, Kenya’s longest-serving intelligence chief, has secured a major legal victory in a protracted $77 million land dispute after a Nairobi court ruled the contested 500-acre property in Ruiru, Kiambu County, remains part of his estate. 

The Environment and Land Court, in a judgment delivered on July 10, declared the purported sale of the prime land as “illegal, null and void,” restoring full ownership to Kangaita Coffee Estate Ltd., where Kanyotu held a controlling stake.

Justice Oguttu Mboya barred Trendsetters Investments, Marriott Africa International, Ukombozi Holdings, and their affiliates from any further dealings with the land.

Court cites fraud, ignores claims of innocence 

Justice Oguttu cited existing 2010 succession court orders that prohibited any transactions involving Kangaita’s land, finding that subsequent sales breached those directives. The judge ruled that Marriott, which acquired the land from Trendsetters for Ksh750 million ($5.8 million), could not claim clean title since the seller lacked valid ownership. 

“A semblance of due diligence would no doubt have brought to their attention the existence of court orders,” Oguttu said, adding that the registered caveats and succession case provided “constructive knowledge” of the legal risks. 

The court noted that Trendsetters and Marriott shared the same business address, raising red flags over their relationship. Two forensic experts testified that documents used to authorize the transfers — including land control board consents — were forged.

Kanyotu widow rejects $387,000 payout offer

Margaret Nyakinyua Murigu, a widow of the late Kanyotu and director of Kangaita, testified that she was never consulted during the transactions and that no sale proceeds were received by the company. She alleged that Kamlesh Pattni — himself linked to the Goldenberg scandal — offered her Ksh50 million ($387,000) to withdraw the suit, which she rejected.

Another family member, Willy Kihara Kanyotu, testified that Ukombozi Holdings sold parts of the land despite the standing court orders. The judge dismissed claims that Marriott and Ukombozi were innocent buyers, stating that the firms failed to conduct adequate due diligence.

Land to remain part of Kanyotu estate

The judge issued a permanent injunction blocking further transactions or interference. “A declaration is hereby issued that the land belongs to Kangaita Coffee Estate Ltd and that the sale to Trendsetters and Marriott was null, void, and fraudulent,” Justice Oguttu ruled. 

James Kanyotu, who led Kenya’s Directorate of Security Intelligence from 1965 to 1991, was one of the country’s most powerful and secretive figures. A former police officer turned businessman, he was a director in the scandal-ridden Goldenberg International, the firm at the heart of Kenya’s infamous 1990s gold-export scam that cost the nation over 10 percent of GDP. 

His death in 2008 triggered a drawn-out succession battle over his estate, drawing attention to one of the country’s most complex inheritance cases. The latest ruling now paves the way for his family to reclaim full control of the multi-billion shilling asset, ending years of uncertainty.

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