Gachagua alleges Ruto's hand in Muthaiga Golf Club land invasion

DCP party leader Rigathi Gachagua addresses Kenyans living in Spokane, Washington State, USA, on September 6, 2026. PHOTO | COURTESY

Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has alleged that President William Ruto is behind the recent invasion of a section of the Muthaiga Golf Club course by the Kenya Forest Service (KFS).

KFS officers camped at Front Nine, from Hole No. 2 through to Hole No. 9, arguing that the section in question sits within the Karura Forest boundary.

KFS noted that the parcel, Land Reference Number 13134/3, encroaches onto the gazetted Karura Forest by approximately 21.8 hectares.

In a statement on Thursday, Gachagua took a jab at President Ruto, claiming that he is seeking to grab the private property for self-gain.

"Your appetite for land has now surpassed public land; you have now turned to private land," he said.

"We shall do everything possible to stop you from grabbing Muthaiga Golf Club and other public and private land in the country."

The Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) leader also cautioned the KFS dons against being the president's stooges, warning of dire consequences.

"For the senior officials of KFS being used by Mr. Ruto to grab Muthaiga Golf Club, be put on notice that action will be taken against you next year when Kenyans get rid of Mr. William Ruto at the ballot on 10th August 2027," Gachagua added.

He further claimed that President Ruto and his family are running almost all national parks and game reserves in Kenya.

KFS maintains that Muthaiga Golf Club's occupation of the contested land is illegal, saying the club has no evidence of a lawful claim to the contested section of the gazetted forest.

In a statement on Wednesday, KFS said the disputed section forms part of Karura Forest, which was gazetted as a forest reserve in 1932 and later declared a Central Forest in 1964.

It argued that Karura Forest covers approximately 1,044.1 hectares and was gazetted as a forest reserve through Proclamation No. 44 of 1932.

The forest was later declared a Central Forest through Legal Notice No. 174 of May 20, 1964.

KFS indicated that a plan showing the extent of land leased to the club was issued in 1966, after which construction of the golf course began and in 1974, the Chief Conservator of Forests wrote to the Club confirming a proposed alteration of the golf course boundary, which would extend the course further north.

The Service said the Club was invited to apply for a Forest Special Use Licence following the enactment of the Forest Conservation and Management Act, 2007, but did not honour the request.

The Service said it invited the Club again in 2021 to discuss its occupation of Karura Forest Reserve, during which its representatives claimed to hold a title deed.