By Baraka Simba 
The Environment and Land Court in Eldoret has ordered police officers and General Service Unit (GSU) personnel to vacate a disputed piece of land belonging to the family of former President Daniel arap Moi near the Eldoret State Lodge in Uasin Gishu County.
The ruling marks a significant development in the ongoing land dispute, which escalated in October 2026 after armed security officers reportedly took control of the property and ordered its occupants to leave.
Justice Charles Ondieki issued a temporary mandatory injunction directing the officers and other occupants to vacate the property pending the hearing and determination of a petition filed by Willowdale Investment Limited, a company associated with the Moi family.
The court also directed that the status quo prevailing before the alleged invasion be maintained and barred police and GSU officers from accessing the disputed land.
In addition, the judge directed the Inspector General of Police to ensure that the court orders are implemented.
Willowdale Investment Limited moved to court seeking legal protection of the property, naming several government institutions and senior officials as respondents in the case.
They include the Interior Cabinet Secretary, Inspector General of Police, Lands Cabinet Secretary, Chief Land Registrar, Eldoret Land Registrar, National Land Commission and the Attorney General.
In his ruling, Justice Ondieki observed that the company had demonstrated a legitimate proprietary interest in the land through documentary evidence, including a certified copy of its certificate of lease.
The judge further noted that the company’s affidavit evidence had not been challenged by the respondents.
He consequently found that Willowdale had established a prima facie case warranting interim protection of the property as the substantive petition proceeds.
Justice Ondieki also observed that the circumstances surrounding the matter justified the issuance of a temporary mandatory injunction, noting that the evidence suggested the respondents had attempted to steal a match from the applicant.
The court further determined that granting the orders was in the public interest.
The dispute attracted public attention in October after GSU officers reportedly entered the property, registered as Eldoret Municipality/Block 8/62, and ordered workers and caretakers to vacate.
The land, located near the main entrance to the Eldoret State Lodge, is claimed by the family of the late President Moi through Willowdale Investment Limited.
The family’s lawyer, Moses Mutisya, previously maintained that his clients had occupied and owned the property since 1996 and possessed legal documents confirming their ownership.
The lawyer had also questioned the circumstances under which security officers entered the property, arguing that the occupants had not been issued with a formal eviction notice.
The latest court decision provides temporary legal protection to the disputed property as the wider ownership and circumstances surrounding its occupation await further determination.
The ruling is also likely to draw renewed attention to land ownership disputes involving government installations and private property in Eldoret.
Eldoret Leo 
Robert Mutasi