Administrators of the late spy chief James Kanyotu’s vast estate have cautioned buyers against purchasing land linked to Kangaita Coffee Estate Limited in Ruiru. The property, valued at over Sh10 billion, is still subject to ongoing succession proceedings at the High Court.
Through AM Wahome & Company Advocates, the administrators issued a caveat warning that the land parcel, LR No. 11261/76, remains locked in litigation under Succession Cause No. 1239 of 2008. Kanyotu, who controlled 99.9 percent of shares in Kangaita Coffee Estate Limited, left behind one of the country’s largest contested estates.
The administrators warned that despite existing court orders, individuals have been attempting to sell the property to unsuspecting members of the public. “Any transactions carried out in disregard of these orders would be void ab initio and of no legal effect,” they stressed, urging potential buyers to verify ownership details to avoid fraud.
In July, Justice Oguttu Mboya of the Environment and Land Court ruled that the 500-acre parcel remains part of Kangaita Coffee Estate Limited and nullified alleged sales. The court found that earlier orders issued in 2010 had expressly prohibited dealings on the property, making subsequent transfers unlawful.
Despite this, the land was purportedly sold to Trendsetters Investments Limited for Sh700 million, later transferred to Marriott Africa International Limited for Sh750 million, and eventually to Ukombozi Holdings Limited. Testimonies revealed forged land control board consents and questionable links between the firms involved.
Family members, including Kanyotu’s widow Margaret Nyakinyua and son Willy Kanyotu, testified that they were never consulted on the transactions and that no proceeds benefited the estate. Nyakinyua further revealed she had declined a Sh50 million offer to withdraw the case.
With the High Court succession cause still pending, the administrators emphasized that the property remains part of Kanyotu’s estate and any unauthorized transactions are fraudulent. Buyers have been urged to exercise extreme caution until the legal process is concluded.
