Elderly Widow in Court Over Alleged Sh200 Million Land Fraud Against Agnes Kagure
A 75-year-old woman has been arraigned before a Nairobi court over allegations of conspiring to defraud former Nairobi Deputy Governor Agnes Kagure of prime land valued at Sh200 million.
Ruth Wambui Kimani, a widow, appeared before Senior Principal Magistrate Rose Ndobi, where she faced two counts — conspiracy to defraud and making a false document.
Details of the Charges
According to the charge sheet, Kimani is accused of colluding with other individuals not before the court to unlawfully obtain ownership of land parcel L.R No. 209/4843/10 (IR No.15372), located along Jogoo Road, Nairobi. The property measures approximately 0.3252 hectares and is registered in the name of Agnes Kagure.
Investigators allege that the accused also made a false identity card (Serial No. 230624436) under the name Francis Kimani Mungai, purporting it to be a genuine document issued by the National Registration Bureau. The prosecution contends that she did so knowing the document was fake.
Accused Denies Charges
When the charges were read out in court, Kimani denied all allegations, pleading not guilty. She appeared calm as her lawyer requested the court to consider her advanced age and health condition, citing that she suffers from diabetes and high blood pressure.
The defense further told the court that Kimani is the administrator of the estate of her late husband, Kimani Mungai, and that the disputed property is subject to an ongoing civil case in another court.
Magistrate Grants Bail
After hearing both sides, Magistrate Rose Ndobi granted the accused a cash bail of Sh100,000 with two contact persons to ensure she attends future court sessions.
The case will be mentioned later for pre-trial directions, as investigations continue into the alleged conspiracy and the authenticity of the disputed documents.
Background of the Disputed Property
The contested property along Jogoo Road is said to be prime commercial land, attracting high value due to its location near major city infrastructure. Sources familiar with the matter say that ownership wrangles over the land date back several years, involving multiple claimants and alleged fraudulent transfers.
Former deputy governor Agnes Kagure has in the past maintained that she legitimately owns the property and has title documents to prove her claim. The criminal case now adds a new twist to the long-running dispute.
Court News Perspective
This case highlights the increasing trend of land fraud cases in Kenya, often involving forged documents and deceased estates. Courts have repeatedly warned fraudsters against taking advantage of aging landowners and family disputes to illegally acquire property.
Conclusion
The case against Ruth Wambui Kimani will continue in the coming weeks as the prosecution tables evidence linking her to the alleged Sh200 million land fraud.
CourtNews.co.ke will continue to follow and report on every development in this high-profile land dispute involving former Deputy Governor Agnes Kagure.