Inside Dupoto Sh2.7B Land Fraud: Petition Exposes Senior Officials, Lawyers in Massive Scam

A Kshs. 2.7 billion land compensation fraud has left the Dupoto/Dafur Welfare Settlement Scheme in Embakasi South devastated, with residents receiving a mere Kshs. 250,000 per family while senior state officials, lawyers, and proxies allegedly pocketed millions.

A petition submitted to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC), and the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) on Monday exposes a web of corruption, naming Lands Principal Secretary Nixon Korir as the mastermind, alongside Narok South MP Sylvester Ntutu and Johnson & Partners LLP’s Mr. Johnson Osoi, who allegedly funneled Kshs. 170 million to his wife or mistress.

The Dupoto community had called a 93-acre parcel home for over 30 years until December 2023, when armed police and bulldozers forcibly evicted them without notice.

The land, acquired by the Kenya Railways Corporation (KRC), saw 38 acres mysteriously transferred to an anonymous entity.

The Kshs. 2.75 billion compensation, disbursed on December 16, 2023, was meant to support the displaced, but the petition by Letangule & Co. Advocates reveals a shocking betrayal.

A Web of Embezzlement

The petition seen by Kenya Insights, details how the funds were siphoned: residents received less than Kshs. 250,000 per family, while the rest was shared among a network of beneficiaries. Key disbursements include:

– Nick Ndenda & Associates: Kshs. 712,250,000
– Moinket & Co. Advocates: Kshs. 155,000,000 (from Johnson & Partners LLP)
– Kitilai Ole Ntutu (Sylvester Ntutu): Kshs. 250,000,000
– Kemosi Mogaka & Co. Advocates: Kshs. 83,160,000 (from Sankale & Co.)
– Wesley Kibet Mootek: Kshs. 50,000,000 (from Sankale & Co.)
– T.K. Rutto & Co.: Kshs. 100,000,000 (from Sankale & Co.)
– Kipkenda & Co. Advocates: Kshs. 181,000,000
– Sankale & Co.: Withdrew Kshs. 80,000,000 in cash on December 19, 2023
– Cheboi Ouma & Co. Advocates: Kshs. 189,000,000
– Hashim & Lesaigor & Co.: Kshs. 189,000,000 (on December 18, 2023)

The petition singles out Mr. Johnson Osoi of Johnson & Partners LLP, who replaced Letangule & Co. at the last minute—a move orchestrated by PS Korir.

Osoi is accused of facilitating the embezzlement, paying Kshs. 170 million to his wife or mistress, and allowing trustee John Kiyian Karu to determine payments, leading to unfair distribution.

“He received funds on behalf of the community and disbursed the same to the individuals listed above,” the petition states, demanding a thorough audit of his accounts.

Power Plays

PS Korir is named the “main architect,” having appointed Johnson & Partners LLP to control the funds, signed fake agreements, and siphoned over Kshs. 300 million through proxies.

He allegedly pressured the community to withdraw their 2024 Environment and Lands Court case (ELC Petition 604 of 2024), a year after the title transfer to Aridi Sasa platform, delaying their justice.

“It is quite notable that to date, approximately 1 year later the title that was produced is yet to be captured in Aridi Sasa platform,” the petition notes.

MP Sylvester Ntutu, who received Kshs. 250 million despite not being a registered member of the Dupoto Settlement Welfare Scheme, faces scrutiny for alleged ties to the presidency.

The petition claims he has been heard stating he has “direct instructions from the President to settle this matter,” raising questions about political interference.

KRC is accused of disbursing funds to other lawyers despite knowing Letangule & Co. represented the community, thus facilitating the misuse of public funds.

The forced eviction left residents destitute, relying on well-wishers and “vibaruas” to survive with their young families and school-going children. “We built our lives on that land, and now we’re on the streets while others count millions,” said a resident who requested anonymity.

Lawyer Thomas Letangule echoed their frustration: “Since we withdrew our court case in 2024, we have not received any money. We’ve waited over a year with no solution.”

On Monday, the community marched to DCI, EACC, and DPP, demanding criminal investigations.

The petition poses pointed questions: How much did KRC pay, and to whom? What acreage does the unaccounted 38 acres occupy, and who is the registered owner? Why hasn’t the money been recovered?

It warns that “the current regime is keen in fighting corruption, graft, embezzlement, theft, fraud, and misuse of public resources,” urging accountability.

As of March 11, 2025, no updates have emerged from the agencies. Attempts to reach PS Korir, MP Ntutu, and Mr. Osoi for comment were unsuccessful. The Dupoto scandal exposes systemic corruption in Kenya’s land sector, where the powerful allegedly prey on the vulnerable. Will justice prevail for these displaced residents?