John Mugo Njeru, once a respected journalist at the Daily Nation, has seen his reputation take a dramatic fall following a series of high-profile land fraud allegations. His journey from a seasoned reporter to a man at the centre of multimillion-shilling scandals has captured public attention and raised serious concerns about corruption in Kenya’s land sector.
Njeru began his career in media, rising to become a bureau chief before venturing into business. However, his transition from journalism to entrepreneurship appears to have taken a dark turn. He now stands accused of being part of a fraudulent scheme to forge ownership documents for prime land in Mombasa.
According to investigations, John Mugo Njeru, alongside Peter Masha Kalama, is alleged to have forged a title deed for land originally owned by the late Hezron Ndanyi Lidede. The conspiracy reportedly involved corrupt land officials who helped manipulate official records to produce an illegitimate land title.
View supporting documents here: John Mugo Njeru Faces Multiple Land Fraud Trials
The matter came to light following a detailed inquiry by the National Land Commission (NLC), which uncovered the forgery and revoked the fraudulent title issued to Njeru. The commission reaffirmed that the land legally belongs to the Ndanyi family, marking a major win for justice—but the family continues to struggle with reclaiming full ownership.
Despite returning the fake title, John Mugo Njeru is still facing serious legal troubles. He has been charged with forgery and fraud, and a warrant for his arrest has been issued. His name has also been linked to another major land fraud case involving land valued at over KSh 700 million.
In yet another controversy, Njeru was involved in a dispute over land set aside for the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) project. Along with other businessmen, he attempted to block the government’s development plans, claiming ownership of the disputed land. However, the court rejected their claims, citing proof of prior government acquisition.
As investigations continue and legal proceedings unfold, John Mugo Njeru’s fall from grace serves as a sobering reminder of the deep-rooted issues in Kenya’s land management system. His case highlights the urgent need for reforms to protect rightful landowners and ensure accountability among public officials.
