NAIROBI, Kenya- The Environment and Land Court in Thika has ruled that a 2.7-acre parcel in Kikuyu, Kiambu County, is public land reserved as a playing field for three primary schools, and ordered the cancellation of its title deed.
In a judgment delivered on October 5, 2026, Justice Mogeni declared the allocation and registration of land parcel KARAI/KARAI/350 to the PCEA Ruguthi Women’s Guild unlawful, null and void.
The court ordered the Land Registrar and National Land Commission to register the property as public school land held in trust for Kanyiha, Lusigetti and Njumbi primary schools.
The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC), which joined the case as an interested party, said the land had been set aside in 1957 by the former County Council of Kiambu for use as a school playing field.
It said the judgment followed a petition filed by the Law Society of Kenya (LSK).
Title ordered cancelled
The court directed the Land Registrar to cancel the title deed issued to the Guild on June 12, 2001, along with any related register entries.
It also ordered the Registrar and the National Land Commission to record the parcel as public school land held in trust for the three schools, their boards of management and the Ministry of Education.
A permanent injunction bars the Guild, its officials, agents and anyone acting through it from entering, taking possession of, fencing, developing, transferring or otherwise interfering with the land.
The court also awarded the petitioners costs, to be paid by the Guild.
EACC cites gaps in allocation
EACC said its investigation found no letter of offer or acceptance for the land, no evidence that rent or rates had been paid, and no proof the Guild paid the former county council for the property.
The commission described the registration as irregular and fraudulent.
The playground serves pupils at Kanyiha, Lusigetti and Njumbi primary schools.
EACC said more than 1,300 learners use the facility, which provides space for sports and recreation alongside its role in school life.
The commission said the court’s decision protects the land’s public use and prevents its loss to private interests.
