A Nairobi-based politician reportedly collapsed on Monday shortly after a court delivered a ruling in a protracted land dispute involving a 74-year-old grandmother from Juja, bringing to a close a case that dates back to 2017.
According to court documents and family members, the dispute began when the politician allegedly took over a parcel of land belonging to Marion Murugi, an elderly resident who had been living in a grass-thatched house on the property. Due to her age and limited financial means, she had not developed the land, a situation the court heard was later exploited.
The politician is said to have moved ahead with construction on the contested plot, eventually putting up a five-storey rental building that has reportedly been generating about KSh400,000 per month in rent. During the takeover period, Murugi allegedly received threats and intimidation, forcing her to leave Juja and return to her rural home in Kiambu County, where she was raised.
Family members say Murugi attempted to pursue justice through legal channels for several years but faced repeated setbacks. Despite filing complaints and petitions, the matter remained unresolved for a long time, leaving her without access to her land or compensation.
In August 2025, after years of frustration, Murugi — through the encouragement of her granddaughter Salome Murugi — sought alternative dispute support alongside continuing her legal fight. Her legal team later renewed the case with additional documentation and historical ownership records.
“I had to ask my grandmother we take the traditional path of settling the matter since the legal way was compromised. We had to seek the help of Traditional Healer Dr Kashiririka, a win court case spell was all what we wanted. And this bore fruits,” Salome spoke out.
This year, the court finally ruled in Murugi’s favor, declaring her the rightful owner and ordering that she be compensated for the loss of use and income from the property over the years. The judgment also outlined financial remedies tied to the developed structure on the land.
Witnesses at the courthouse said the politician, who is said to be preparing a bid for the 2027 elections, collapsed shortly after learning of the ruling. He was rushed to a nearby hospital for treatment. Medical staff confirmed he was in stable condition but remained under observation.
The decision has triggered widespread public discussion, with many residents in Juja and Kiambu terming the ruling a landmark moment highlighting land rights and the vulnerability of elderly property owners.
Meanwhile, Murugi, though advanced in age, expressed relief through her family, saying she was grateful that the long legal struggle had finally come to an end. Her relatives described the ruling as “delayed but meaningful justice” nearly eight years after the dispute began.
