I have seen President William Ruto talk about the issue of land and its true ownership on many occasions and am appealing to him as my son and guardian of the rights of Kenyans to intervene so that am accorded justice. I have waited for 20 years and Justice has been denied to me’’, she said in an interview with The Weekly Vision in Kitale
An 87-year-old lady, Hellen Kenduywo is pleading with President Dr William Ruto and the President of the judiciary, the honourable Chief Justice Martha Koome to help her get back her 83 acres of land in Sinyereri ward in Cherang’any Sub County where she claims to have been evicted by her four sons.
The old who has been living in Nandi County for the past 20 years awaiting court action against her sons is hopeful that she will one day get back to her land in Cherang’any. The old granny says she became insecure and circumstances forced her to flee from the land she says she bought with her late husband.
“I have seen President William Ruto talk about the issue of land and its true ownership on many occasions and am appealing to him as my son and guardian of the rights of Kenyans to intervene so that am accorded justice. I have waited for 20 years and Justice has been denied to me’’, she said in an interview with The Weekly Vision in Kitale. Kenduywo who is in her sunset days also noted that the land that her sons are laying claim to belongs to her and that she gave each one of them more than 9 acres of shares and sees no need for them giving her sleepless nights.
She added that even though she holds a legitimate title deed, her children have denied her and her daughters whom she had given shares of ownership rights to develop the land. ‘’ I have a mother title to the parcel of land which I have completed subdivision into over 9-acre plots and this process has been delayed at the Courts because they managed to put an injunction for the past two years despite the court saying that am the rightful owner of the land’’, ” Kenduywo added
‘’ Some people gave birth to children who are obedient and value their parents. Did these ones, really come from my womb? I have had enough of them and if they think they are fair to me then may God judge between themselves and me on who gave birth to the other’’, said the sobbing Mama Kenduywo.
She added that even though she holds a legitimate title deed, her children have denied her and her daughters whom she had given shares of ownership rights to develop the land. ‘’ I have a mother title to the parcel of land which I have completed subdivision into over 9-acre plots and this process has been delayed at the Courts because they managed to put an injunction for the past two years despite the court saying that am the rightful owner of the land’’, ” Kenduywo added.
A few Kilometres from the home Mrs Kenduywo used to call home leaves Lilian Chepkoech Kenduywo, her daughter who is also hopeful that she will get a share of the land her mother intended to give to her and her other siblings. Her Elder Sister, Juliet Cheptoo, a lecturer at one of the universities in Eldoret says her mother has no strength left to be travelling from Nandi to Kitale seeking justice since she had drained all the resources.
“Our mother is unwell and has to be supported to stand on her own owing to Arthritis, high blood pressure coupled with old age. May His Excellency the President of the Republic of Kenya, my brother his Excellency Dr William Ruto listen from wherever he is and help our mother obtain mercy’’, she said.
‘’ We are also imploring upon the President of the Supreme Court, the Honorable Chief Justice Martha Koome to come to accord my mother this one wish-give back her land to save her deteriorating health’’, she added. Lilian Chepkoech Kenduywo says they have walked in and out of every government office in pursuit of their mother’s rights to land ownership all in vain as her brothers brag that they were influential and that the old widow will not take the land away from them nor give shares to her daughters.
The Land and Environment Court in Kitale has however carried out extensive investigations over the matter and is expected to give a fresh order on the 83 acres piece of land in Sitatunga / Sinyereri / Tito in Cherangany Sub County in Trans Nzoia County.
