Trans Nzoia sisters cry foul after ageing dad allegedly tricked into selling land while drunk

A family in Chepkoiyo village, Cherang'any, in Trans Nzoia County is seeking justice after losing their 9.6-acre ancestral land, allegedly because their elderly father was tricked into giving it away while intoxicated.

The five daughters of 90-year-old William Kazimoto, Priscilla, Everline, Jepkoech, and two others, claim their father was manipulated during bouts of drunkenness, resulting in the illegal transfer of their inheritance to strangers.

The sisters accuse some people of taking advantage of their father's vulnerability to defraud the family of their land.

"Our father was manipulated while drunk. We had no idea the land was being taken from us," lamented Priscilla Kazimoto, the second-born daughter, during an interview at their uncle's home.

The land is now occupied by people they describe as strangers.

"We have never seen any sale agreements," said Everline Cheptoo, 35, the youngest daughter.

Their uncle, Christopher Koskei said a caution had been placed on the land to prevent unauthorised sale. However, the land was still transferred, raising legal concerns.

"Our mother died heartbroken, and because of the lack of land, she was buried in Kericho. That still haunts us," said Jepkoech Kazimoto, one of the sisters.

The family claims that local chang'aa and busaa dens played a significant role in the land's loss. They allege that unscrupulous alcohol vendors manipulated Kazimoto while drunk.

"If his bill was Sh1,000, they claimed it was Sh100,000. That's how we lost 9.6 acres," explained Jepkoech.

Now frail, the 90-year-old Kazimoto denied knowingly transferring ownership of the land, insisting he was unaware of the transactions.

"I don't recognise the people living on that land. They are fraudsters. If they own the land legally, let them show proof," he said.