A former police officer who served in the security detail of the late President Daniel arap Moi is currently involved in a contentious legal dispute over a Sh300 million property. The Industrial and Commercial Development Corporation (ICDC) has attached the 63-acre property, located in Mois Bridge on the Kitale-Eldoret highway, to recover a Sh10 million loan issued 27 years ago.
Mr. Stephen Sugut alleges that the state corporation unlawfully sold his land, accusing them of claiming he defaulted on the loan. He appeared before Justice Robert Wananda of the Eldoret High Court, where he asserted that the charge, sale, and transfer of the property to Wakarima Investment Company, linked to businessman Mr. Ruiru, were fraudulent.
Sugut had borrowed the money from ICDC with a 60-month repayment plan but defaulted, leading ICDC to instruct Joyland Auctioneer to recover the loan through public sale. He challenged the auction, arguing that ICDC undervalued the property, selling it to Wakarima Investment Limited for a mere Sh7 million.
He claimed ignorance about the sale and criticized ICDC for disposing of his property without notifying the Soy Sub-county Land Control Board, as required by law. Despite a High Court injunction suspending the public auction, ICDC proceeded to advertise the property for sale
Sugut, currently confined to a wheelchair due to illness, is seeking judgment in his favor. He urged the court to dismiss the buyer’s argument that due process was followed in acquiring the property. In response, Wakarima Investment Company Limited is urging the court to compel Sugut to pay Sh50 million in compensation for the loss of investment opportunities
The company contends that it acquired the land for farming purposes but has been unable to invest in it for over 20 years. Despite a court ruling favoring Wakarima Investment in 2020 (barring Sugut from trespassing on the property), he allegedly continues to occupy and cultivate the land.