CHERUNYA FARM, ELDORET

 By William Kiptoo

You probably are familiar with an area called Cherunya in Eldoret, a vast expanse of land that borders Langas and stretches from Queens Garden, Rivatex to Yamumbi and Kipkaren estate. This 618-acre property was owned by Kiptalam arap Cherunya, who reportedly purchased it from a settler back in 1962.
In March 1978, the government compulsorily acquired 400 acres of the land for industrial, residential, and commercial development purposes. The Industrial and Commercial Development Corporation (ICDC) and Rivatex Company were allocated portions of the land, while the remainder was sold to private individuals.
Cherunya subsequently took legal action to reclaim the land, arguing that the sale was invalid and that titles had been issued to individuals without his consent. Following his passing, his four children - John, Sammy, Grace, and James Cherunya - took over the case as administrators of his estate.
After years of legal battles, the Eldoret Environment and Land Court finally issued a verdict in June 2023, confirming the government's lawful acquisition of the land. This decision marked the end of a lengthy legal dispute that had spanned over decades.

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