Foreign Businessman Charged with Forging Land Documents in Machakos

A foreign businessman has been charged at a Nairobi court with the offence of forging a letter of allotment to defraud a 2-acre piece of land in Machakos County.

Harilal Dhanji Velji Partel appeared before the Milimani Chief Magistrate Lucas Onyina and was charged with two counts of forgery and forced entry into the said parcel of land.

It is alleged that on or before April 5, 2025, at an unknown place within the Republic of Kenya with others who were not before the court with intent to defraud Taipan Properties Management Limited, forged a letter of allotment Reference number 39711XV dated July 7, 1983, in respect of land parcel number LR337/850-  Athi River measuring approximately 2 acres purporting it to be a genuine letter of allotment issued by SM Ngare a commissioner of Lands which was a false fact.

In the second count, Patel was charged with forcible entry to the said parcel of land in order to take possession thereof.

The prosecution told the court that the accused, along with others who were not before the court, entered on the land parcel No LR337/850 IR71895, the property of Taipen Property Management Limited, in a violent manner while armed with crude weapons and tractors, and issued threats to the owner of the said property.

He denied the charges levelled against him and, through his lawyer, pleaded for lenient bond terms, saying he would abide by the terms set by the court.

The lawyer informed the court that his client was sickly and required thorough medication, and putting him in custody can worsen the situation, also considering his age.

The court also heard that the accused is a well-known businessman in Embakasi, and he cannot abscond.

The prosecution, through state counsel Irene Semo, did not oppose the application for his release but informed the court that the accused is a foreigner, hence posing a flight risk and sought an order to deposit his travel documents in court.

She also urged the court to issue a summons to three suspects who were supposed to take a plea together with the accused but failed to appear.

“Your honour, we apply for the summons to be issued to three other suspects for plea taking,” Semo submitted.

On his part, the counsel representing the complainant requested that the court deny the accused access to the disputed property.

In response, the defence informed the magistrate that the suspects were not aware that they were supposed to appear in court to take a plea.

He further informed the court that the disputed property is currently in the possession of the accused, and he holds the presumption of innocence until proved otherwise.

He was released on a bond of 750,000 and a surety of the same amount.