During his recent Narok County tour, President William Ruto sparked confusion and controversy with his statement on a land dispute. While addressing residents at Sogoo Trading Centre, he asserted that he had consulted with the late Isaiah Cheluget before agreeing to buy a disputed 5,800-acre plot for families evicted from the Mau Forest.
However, Cheluget passed away in 2017, making such discussions impossible. He was buried in Litein, Kericho County. As a Provincial Commissioner under President Moi, Cheluget registered the land in his name in 1974. Squatters settled there in the late 1990s, leading to legal battles and occasional evictions.
Ruto’s remarks led Kenyans on social media to question how he could have spoken to someone deceased. Some speculated that he meant Cheluget’s family rather than the late official. The Ministry of Lands later clarified that the government had been negotiating with Cheluget’s family, refuting claims that Ruto’s statement was misleading.
At Sogoo Trading Centre, Ruto stated: “We called Cheluget, we sat down with him, and we agreed that the government will buy this land. We will buy it so that those living there can continue living there.” His statement caused widespread confusion about how such a meeting occurred.
Lands Principal Secretary Nixon Korir later responded, saying, “Yes, we know Mr. Cheluget died, and it’s public knowledge. We’ve had several meetings with the family led by former PS Nancy Kirui Cheluget and her brothers.” He emphasized that structured negotiations had been ongoing to facilitate the land purchase for squatters.
This incident adds to the growing list of controversies surrounding Ruto’s public statements. During his Narok tour, he pledged to resettle 13,000 families evicted from the Mau Forest and resolve land disputes. Although his promises earned applause, doubts remain about their feasibility and accuracy.
