Former Nairobi Provincial Commissioner Davis Nathan Chelogoi has been sentenced to three years in prison after being found guilty in a Sh1.3 billion land fraud case involving a 7.39-hectare parcel in Lower Kabete, Nairobi.
The sentence was delivered by magistrate Dolphina Alego, who ordered that the prison terms imposed on Chelogoi run concurrently. This means the former administrator will serve a total of three years behind bars despite being convicted on five separate counts.
Chelogoi was found guilty on five of the six counts brought against him in a case centred on fraudulent dealings involving the high-value property.
The disputed parcel, measuring 7.39 hectares and located in Lower Kabete, was valued at approximately Sh1.3 billion. The prosecution had accused the former provincial commissioner of involvement in the fraudulent acquisition and disposal of the land.
The case has been before the courts for several years, with the dispute revolving around the alleged illegal dealings involving the property. Its substantial value and the involvement of a former senior government official have drawn attention to the proceedings.
Following the conclusion of the trial, the magistrate found Chelogoi guilty on five counts, resulting in the three-year custodial sentence. The sixth count did not result in a conviction.
In delivering the sentence, the court directed that the prison terms run concurrently rather than consecutively. Under this arrangement, the sentences are served at the same time, meaning Chelogoi will not have to complete one prison term before beginning another.
The court also declined to impose a fine as an alternative to imprisonment. Consequently, the punishment handed down remains a three-year custodial sentence.
Chelogoi previously served as Nairobi Provincial Commissioner during the administration of former President Daniel arap Moi. Provincial commissioners were senior government administrators who represented the national government and oversaw administration in their respective regions.
His conviction marks a major development in the lengthy legal dispute surrounding the Lower Kabete property, which is among the high-value land cases to reach the courts.
The case has also brought renewed attention to questions surrounding the acquisition and transfer of valuable land in Nairobi, particularly where allegations involve individuals who previously held senior public offices.
With the sentence now delivered, Chelogoi faces three years in prison over the five counts on which he was convicted.
