Kenyan marathoner remanded over Ksh8 million land fraud case

Retired Kenyan international marathoner Mike Kipkorir Kipyego will remain in custody after the court cancelled his Ksh1 million bond over alleged fraud involving an Ksh8 million parcel of land in Elgon View Estate, Eldoret.

Kipyego was arrested by detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) Land Fraud Unit after allegedly failing to honour court proceedings on several occasions. He had previously been released on a bond of Ksh1 million or an alternative cash bail of Ksh500,000.

According to details reported by Citizen Digital, the former international athlete is accused of defrauding Nandi County Mosop parliamentary aspirant Mary Lucy Kurgat after allegedly presenting himself as capable of selling her a prime parcel of land on the outskirts of Eldoret’s central business district.

The alleged transaction dates back to between November 19 and December 20, 2014, when Kipyego is said to have obtained Ksh8 million from Kurgat in connection with the sale of a parcel identified as Eldoret Municipality Block 14/731.

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The property, located in Elgon View Estate in Kapseret Sub-County, measures approximately 0.284 hectares. Prosecutors allege that Kipyego obtained the money through a false representation that he could facilitate the sale of the property, despite allegedly knowing that the claim was untrue.

The case took another turn after Kipyego was accused of failing to attend court on multiple occasions. His repeated absence eventually resulted in the issuance of a warrant of arrest.

He was subsequently apprehended by the DCI Land Fraud Unit and brought before the Eldoret Chief Magistrate’s Court, where he sought to have his bond reinstated.

Eldoret Chief Magistrate Peter Ndwiga, however, declined to restore the bond while ruling on a certificate of urgency application filed on Kipyego’s behalf.

The court ordered that the accused be escorted to Eldoret GK Remand Prison, where he will remain in custody until the hearing and determination of the case.

In his ruling, Ndwiga noted that Kipyego had admitted to absconding court proceedings on several occasions. The magistrate found that his conduct had necessitated the warrant of arrest and raised concerns about his willingness to comply with court directions.

The decision means the former athlete will now remain behind bars as the prosecution prepares to present its case.

Kipyego faces two separate charges arising from the alleged transaction. The first is obtaining money by false pretences, with the prosecution alleging that he intentionally misrepresented his ability to sell the disputed property.

The second charge relates to the alleged creation of a false document.

According to the charge sheet, Kipyego is accused of making a document without authority, contrary to Section 357(a) of the Penal Code. Prosecutors allege that he forged a title deed for the same parcel of land and presented it as a document issued by the Registrar of Lands in Uasin Gishu County.

The prosecution claims the document was created and used to support the alleged land transaction involving Kurgat.

Kipyego has denied all the charges against him and will have an opportunity to challenge the prosecution’s evidence when the matter proceeds to full hearing.

The prosecution has lined up five witnesses who are expected to testify in the case. Their evidence will be central to establishing how the alleged transaction was conducted, how the Ksh8 million changed hands and whether the documents presented in relation to the property were genuine.

The case also brings renewed attention to the challenges surrounding land transactions in Kenya, where disputes involving ownership documents, title deeds and fraudulent property deals have remained a persistent concern.

The legal battle marks a significant departure from his career in athletics. He represented Kenya on the international marathon circuit before retiring from competitive running.

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His sporting career saw him compete at major road races, earning recognition as one of Kenya’s distance runners before turning his attention to life outside competitive athletics.

The current case, however, remains before the courts, and the allegations against him have yet to be proven.

Kipyego will remain in custody as the legal process continues, with the prosecution expected to call its five witnesses before the court determines whether the evidence presented supports the charges.

Until then, he remains presumed innocent unless and until the court finds otherwise.