A tough legal battle is facing the famous Ntutu’s family and the County Government of Narok over the ownership of 4720 acres of land within the Maasai Mara Game Reserve.
The parcel registered as CIS MARA/TALEK 155 is a breeding ground for leopards, cheetahs, and lions, making it a prime tourist site. The land has several tented camps and hosts the famous Ol Kiombo lodge.
The case was filed by defunct town council administration 25 years ago challenging the ownership of the title deed by Livingstone Kunini Ntutu, one of the brothers to Narok Governor Patrick Ntutu.
It rose through the judicial hierarchy from the High Court and Court of Appeal to the Supreme Court for determination of the ownership of the land.
However, in 2018, the Supreme Court, led by the then Chief Magistrate David Maraga, referred the matter back to the Environment and Land Court (ELC), which has jurisdiction on such a dispute to determine the constitutionality and legality of the title deed.
The first and second appellant in the case is Narok County Government, while the first respondent in the case is Livingstone Kunini Ntutu, the second and third respondent is Ol Kiombo Limited, and the fourth respondent is the Attorney General.
The court was to determine whether the title deed of the suit land was constitutionally and legally acquired and whether it was marred with fraud and irregularity.
The county government wants the title deed of the land reverted back, arguing that the land is an unadjudicated trust land and hence no title deed should be issued.
The case that is currently being heard at the Narok ELC in Narok has seen eight key witnesses testify on the matter, with the judgement expected to be made in January 2025.
An Assistant Principal Land Surveyor from the Directorate of Survey, Wilfred Muchai, took to the dock at the Narok ELC Wednesday to give his testimony on the matter.
Narok ELC judge Justice Charles Mbogo gave both sides seven days to submit their submissions before he makes the judgement in January.
By Ann Salaton
