The long-awaited judgement on whether a relative of Narok Governor Patrick Ntutu will be allowed retain ownership of 4,720 acres of land located inside the Maasai Mara Game Reserve has been postponed to a later date.
The matter was to be decided on Tuesday at the Narok Environment and Lands Court (ELC) by Justice Charles Mbogo but has been pushed to February 20, 2025.
The advocate representing the County government Mr. Ian Wambua Mbithi, from Okongo Omogeni & Advocates law firm said the extension follows late filing of submissions by some parties.
“The submissions by the AG were filed on January 22 which was very late, hence the court needs time to go through the submissions,” he said.
He reiterated that they will abide by the directions of the court and wait patiently for the scheduled date, as the submissions are now with the court.
“We know the court will be guided by the evidence presented before it and the law. It’s not the first time this has happened. Sometimes parties do not comply with the direction of the court for reasons beyond them,” he said.
The clarification from the advocate has reduced tension on the ground as many residents living around the Maasai Mara Game Reserve were eagerly waiting for the judgement, which will affect their livelihood as the reserve is their main source of revenue.
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.
It rose through the judicial hierarchy from High Court, Court of Appeal to the Supreme Court for determination of the ownership of the land.
However, the Supreme court, in 2018, led by the then Chief Magistrate David Maraga referred the matter back to the ELC that 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, Second and third respondent is Ol Kiombo Limited, and forth respondent is Attorney General.
The court will 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 hence no title deed should be issued.
By Ann Salaton
