Eldoret Businessman Hosea Kibet Ruto Charged with Counts of Land Fraud
A high-profile land fraud case has hit the headlines in Uasin Gishu County, where prominent Eldoret businessman Hosea Kibet Ruto is facing serious criminal charges. On Tuesday, August 19, 2025, Ruto was arraigned before Chief Magistrate Dennis Mikoyan at the Eldoret Law Courts and charged with nine counts of land fraud. The charges involve prime parcels of land within Uasin Gishu, some of which are linked to well-known figures.
According to the prosecution, Ruto is accused of forging land documents, including lease certificates and title deeds, with the intention of defrauding legitimate landowners.
Ruto engaged in a scheme of presenting falsified documents to claim ownership of properties he had no legal rights to. Land fraud has become one of the most rampant crimes in parts of Kenya, with syndicates often targeting unsuspecting owners, absentee landlords and families in succession disputes. In this case, prosecutors alleged that the fraud was deliberate and repeated, covering multiple plots for several years.
According to investigators, Ruto allegedly made a lease document under her name for a parcel identified as Eldoret Municipality Block 5/835.The prosecution says the document was forged to appear as if it had been signed by the Land Registrar.
The charge sheet also highlights another case where Ruto is accused of falsifying a document under the name of Christine Kemei.
This particular document, dated July 1, 2015, concerned a parcel of land described as Eldoret Municipality/Block 585. The prosecution maintains that Ruto used these falsified documents in attempts to claim land that did not belong to him.
One incident cited in court was on October 13, 2024, when Ruto allegedly presented a forged lease certificate to an officer of the Directorate of Criminal Investigations at Eldoret Police Station, claiming it was a genuine record from the Lands Registry.
The State intends to rely on the testimonies of two key witnesses to strengthen its case, among them Nyambura.
Their statements are expected to provide more details on how the alleged fraud was carried out.
On his part, Ruto pleaded with the court to consider his health condition while determining bail terms.
He informed the magistrate that he was undergoing treatment at St. Luke’s Hospital and requested lenient bail to allow him to continue his medical care without interruption.
After listening to both sides, Chief Magistrate Mikoyan granted Ruto release on a bond of KSh500,000 or a cash bail of KSh200,000.
The matter is scheduled for mention on August 25 before the Principal Magistrate at Eldoret Law Courts.
The case is expected to shed more light on how fraudulent land dealings are conducted in Eldoret and whether the allegations against Ruto will stand in court.
What's Your Reaction?
