Willliam Kabogo has the sort of wealth that makes most of us just dream. The wealth he has been reputed to possess borders on the legendary, some might even say myth as you see his son flaunt the wealth they have. But the former Kiambu Governor William Kabogo has now lost possession of a multi-million worth property in Nairobi’s Westlands area that was fraudulently acquired by his company.
William Kabogo, through his firm, Caroget investments is now required to pay Sh100 million as general damages to Aster Holdings Limited for the illegal occupation. Ouch! Justice Elijah Obaga has further ordered Kabogo’s firm to vacate the 5.2-acre parcel of land on Mvuli Road and hand it over to its registered owner with immediate effect, ending the long-running dispute. The judge ruled on said:
“The suit property history is that it had been in private ownership since 1946. It ceased to be government land and was therefore not available for alienation by the Commissioner of Lands. The suit property never reverted back to the government as to be available for re-allocation.”
Aster Holdings had sued Nairobi County Council, the Lands Commissioner, the Registrar of Titles, the Attorney General and Caroget. In April, Kabogo told the court that he duly registered the land estimated to be worth Sh3.5 billion, in 2007 with Lands ministry after paying all the requisite fees.
He said for 14 years, Nayan Patel who is the rightful registered owner of the suit property, could not develop it because of the illegal occupation. The judge continued:
In summary, Justice Obaga said the property was not available for allocation to the City Council, because it had already been purchased and the title amalgamated.
Mambo ndiyo hayo watu. For once the law has served the honest individual even against some very powerful interests.
