Former Kiambu Governor William Kabogo has suffered a major loss after being ordered to pay Ksh 1.8 billion by the High Court under allegations that he fraudulently acquired a five acre piece of land from the Nairobi City Council in 2007.

According to Business Today, Kabogo’s firm Caroget Investments Ltd is required to pay Ksh 100 million as compensation to the owner of the land Aster Holdings Ltd for “illegal invasion and occupation”.

The case presided over by High Court judge Elijah Obaga, who ordered Kabogo and the Nairobi County Government to hand over the land to the registered owner i.e Aster Holdings.

Kabogo however claimed that he acquired the land through allotment by the Nairobi City Council in 2003, claims that the City hall and Lands ministry disputed.

“My company acquired title to the property pursuant to a transfer of lease from Nairobi City Council to whom the property was allotted. Caroget paid Nairobi City Council the fees and charges for the property,” he was quoted by the Sunday Nation as telling the court.

According to the Survey of Kenya, however, the deed apparently does not exist.

“I can confirm to the court that the only deed plan at the Survey of Kenya records is the one by Aster Holdings,” said Surveyor Pricilla Njeri.

City Hall also stood by their statement with City Hall valuer Isaac Nyoike saying that Nairobi City Coucnil had made a mistake when issuing the allotment to Kabogo’s company upon learning that the land was privately owned.

The land is situated along Church Road off Waiyaki Way.

The land, which measures 5 acres, is situated along Church Road off Waiyaki Way, Nairobi