NAIROBI, Kenya – Family members of the late Nyanza Provincial Commissioner, Isaiah Kiplangat Cheluget, have confirmed that they are in talks with the government in a bid to resolve a long-lasting land tussle in Narok County.
Speaking to journalists at a Nairobi hotel on Saturday, May 10, 2025, the family, led by former principal secretary Nancy Kirui, said they agree with President William Ruto’s statements at Sogoo Narok South over the sale of the land.
“We wish to confirm that we have met on several occasions with the president’s representatives. The PS Lands, the Narok governor, and the Director for Settlements are to find a long-lasting solution to the dispute concerning our late father’s land. L.R. No. ILMOTIOK/CIS-MARA/54,” explained Kirui.
During his visit to the region this week, President Ruto made several development pledges aimed at transforming Sogoo and the new Amalo Sub-County.
President Ruto claimed that he spoke to the late Cheluget about selling the 5,800-acre property in Sogoo, Narok South, for resettling over 13,000 families evicted from the Mau Forest.
“We called Cheluget, we sat down with him, and agreed that the government will buy this land,” said President Ruto.
When did Isaiah Cheluget pass away, and where was he buried
During the press conference, Kirui stated that as a family of the late Cheluget, they agreed with President Ruto’s statements over the sale of the land.
“We are in engagement with the government on this matter, and we have already made an offer to sell the land to the government to settle the squatters. Interestingly, our father, the late Isaiah Kiplangat Cheluget, had on several occasions reached out to the government, looking for a peaceful and amicable resolution. Sadly, he passed on before its actualisation,” Kirui added.
Cheluget passed away on June 26, 2017, at Aga Khan Hospital in Kisumu and was buried at his Litein home in Kericho County on July 5, 2017.
“We, the family, are pleased and extremely grateful to the president and the Narok governor for their determination and resolve to find a meaningful solution. We also wish to bring to your attention that all matters concerning succession and the estate of our late father were conclusively settled at the High Court in Kericho and a confirmation of grant issued on June 12, 2018,” explained Kirui.
Cheluget Family Speak: Following Isaiah Cheluget’s passing, the Kericho High Court appointed Raell Chepkurgat Cheluget and three others to oversee his estate, ensuring a transparent legal process #GideonMoiFakeNews
Kirui used the opportunity to ask the members of the public to ignore any other persons purporting to speak on behalf of the family attempting to disrupt estate negotiations over the dispute over Narok land.
Following the passing of the former provincial commissioner, Kirui disclosed that the Kericho High Court duly appointed his widow, Raeli Chepkurgat Cheluget, alongside Johnstone Kipkoech Langat, Lawrence Kimutai Langat, and Kenneth Kipyegon Langat, as the legal administrators of the estate.
“It has come to our attention that Moses Kipkurui Cheluget (also known as Moses Kipkurui Cheruiyot) is attempting to interfere with these negotiations. Mr. Cheluget previously filed a case in 2017 seeking to be recognised as a biological son of the late Isaiah Cheluget,” revealed Kirui.
How Moses Kipkurui Cheluget has reacted to the Narok land dispute
She stated that his petition was dismissed by the High Court, which declined to grant his request for DNA testing via exhumation, citing procedural and cultural grounds.
“As a result, Moses Cheluget is a stranger in this process and is not legally recognised as a beneficiary or administrator of the estate. His current actions have no legal standing and are an attempt to derail a lawful process being carried out by the rightful estate representatives,” added Kirui.
Former Provincial Commissioner Isaiah Cheluget’s son, Moses Kipkirui Cheluget, threatens legal action against President Ruto over claims he bought 5,600 acres of land from deceased, who died in 2017Video By George Sayagie.
But in a quick rejoinder, Moses Kipkirui Cheluget has now threatened legal action to stop any transaction on the disputed land.
“I will move to court within seven days to halt any payments until we, as a family, determine who is authorised to speak on our behalf. Who is the president talking to while succession is ongoing? Someone might have lied to him,” said Moses.
The land was allocated to the late Cheluget in 1974, but has faced years of occupation by squatters since the late 90s. Several eviction attempts and legal battles have made it one of the most contested prime properties in Narok County.
