By Felix Njenga
A family in Kiambu county has moved to court to sue Kirinyaga Central Member of Parliament Joseph Gachoki Gitari over claims that he has grabbed a prime land worth over KSh80 million in Ruaka area, Kiambaa constituency.
The family of Munyui Gathwira has accused the legislator of conspiring with some of the family members to deprive some of the family members of their inheritance land.
According to Fredrick Mburu, one of the aggrieved party speaking during an interview said that the legislator was sold the land without the consent of all family members present.
“We are a total number of seven members who were documented as beneficiaries. We came to learn about the sale of the land recently where two of our brothers conspired with the legislator and sold the land without our consent,” Mburu said.
Mburu said that Gachoki allegedly conspired with John Wagacha, one of his brothers and altered ownership of LR Kiambaa/Ruaka 618 measuring 0.510 acres removing one of their brothers, David Ngigi as co-registered administrator of the land and claimed the other family members were deceased.
“The sale of our land was facilitated after it was claimed that we are deceased. our father’s legacy was meant for all of us and we have never authorized any transfer of ownership,” he said.
The family members claimed that corrupt dealings were undertaken with land officials in Kiambu lands registry where they were issued fake death certificates of family members who are still alive.
“Corrupt land officials in Kiambu facilitated this egregious act by accepting fraudulent death certificates of family members who are still alive. We are shocked and appalled by this blatant corruption,” they said.
He said that once he got wind of the sale of the land, he immediately mobilized his siblings and were able to put a restriction on the land in the office of the assistant county Commissioner in Kihara, Kiambaa.
The restriction letter drafted by Peter, Kamau, David Ngigi, Fredrick Mburu, Stephen Ndungu and Stephen Mungai was presented and received by Eldwin Ongeto Assistant County Commissioner Kihara Sub-County on 20th April last year, stating that one John wagacha has registered LR Kiambaa/Ruaka 618 under his name and were concerned that he wants to dispose the land without consent of all parties.
“We are concerned that our brother wants to dispose of the property without involving family members. we request you to kindly restrict the piece of land until such a time both parties come to an agreement,’ read part of the restriction letter.
He said that the legislator was allegedly able to compromise one of the brothers to single handedly remove the restriction without the consent from the others thus enabling the transfer of the land documentation to go through.
The family members have vowed to fight tirelessly until justice is served.
“The MP and our brother will face the consequences of their actions. We demand accountability and restitution for this injustice perpetrated against our family,” he said.
When reached for comment, the MP said that he bought the land from Wagacha who had a Title Deed of the land with him.
The lawmakers said he had no reason to doubt the transaction as the seller had all the documents required.
“I have copies of succession which he did without me. I was not there during the succession and if there was any family feud, I was not aware since this was a buyer-seller transaction,” Gachoki said.
He denied the claims of grabbing land saying he complied and fulfilled all the requirements while acquiring the land.
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