Kericho Senator faces explosive claims of land grabbing, tax evasion, and money laundering following failed gag order attempt
NAIROBI, Kenya — A bitter legal battle between prominent blogger Cyprian Nyakundi and Kericho Senator Aaron Cheruiyot has exploded into a full-blown corruption exposé, casting a dark shadow over one of Kenya’s most powerful political figures.
The controversy reached a tipping point on May 20, 2025, when the Milimani Law Court rejected Cheruiyot’s request for a gag order against Nyakundi, allowing the blogger to unleash a torrent of explosive allegations that have sparked widespread public outrage and intensified scrutiny on the senator’s business empire.
Cheruiyot, who serves as Senate Majority Leader in Kenya’s ruling Kenya Kwanza coalition, now finds himself embroiled in accusations involving systematic land grabbing, betting tax fraud, money laundering, and questionable business dealings that allegedly span multiple industries.
Court Victory Unleashes Storm of Allegations
The Milimani Law Court’s decision to lift the gag order came after finding no legal basis to restrict Nyakundi’s exposés.
The ruling rejected Cheruiyot’s bid for interim orders, allowing fresh accusations to surface in what has become a defining moment in the senator’s political career.
With the court ruling in his favor, Nyakundi wasted no time taking to social media to air a series of damning allegations that have struck a chord in a country where corruption among the political elite remains a contentious issue.
The Betting Tax Scandal
At the heart of the controversy are allegations that Cheruiyot has profited from irregularities in betting tax collections, with Nyakundi claiming that intermediaries, rather than the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA), are now handling billions in public funds.
Sources allege that under the previous Uhuru Kenyatta administration, betting companies were integrated directly with KRA’s tax collection system, ensuring transparent deposits into government accounts.
However, this system was reportedly dismantled under President William Ruto’s administration, with Cheruiyot allegedly playing a key role.
Nyakundi claims Cheruiyot uses Compulynx Limited, a Kenyan technology firm in which he allegedly acquired substantial shares in 2022, to divert betting taxes for personal gain.
The company’s e-Revenue platform, originally designed for county-level revenue collection, is now reportedly used to handle betting taxes, leading to a significant drop in government revenue despite a 30% increase in betting volume over the past 18 months.
Cheruiyot has dismissed these claims, stating he “doesn’t even know how to bet,” but the allegations have doubled down on earlier accusations of the senator siphoning billions from the industry.
Systematic Land Grabbing Allegations
Among the most serious accusations are claims of systematic land grabbing in Kericho County, where Cheruiyot wields considerable political influence.
Nyakundi alleges that the senator constructed a luxurious mansion in Kamelilo, Ainamoi Constituency, on land originally designated for a coffee factory by Indian investors.
The move, according to the blogger, derailed potential economic development in the area, depriving locals of jobs and investment opportunities.
Further allegations point to Cheruiyot’s involvement in large-scale land grabs in the Kipsigis region, including Angata, Tinga Farm, Sabret Tea Estate, and Homa Line.
An anonymous source, claiming to be a former employee of West Valley Sugar Company, told Nyakundi that the senator was part of a scheme to loot public lands, displacing communities for personal or political gain.
Behind the scenes, the Senator is alleged to have facilitated the entry of Arab investors into Sony Sugar, reportedly linked to the Tayyib family, a wealthy and influential business group based in the Gulf region.
These investors are believed to have secured favorable terms not through competitive bidding, but through political connections and backdoor arrangements orchestrated by Cheruiyot himself.
The Senator’s vested interest in sugar is no longer in doubt. Sources close to the matter insist that he has established himself as a silent but powerful player in the sugar trade, quietly buying into strategic companies and ensuring he controls key supply chains in the Rift Valley and Western regions.
This revelation comes at a time when Kenya’s sugar industry is struggling with collapsed infrastructure, unpaid farmers, and deep corruption, all while state officials push forward with the privatization agenda under the guise of reform.
Insiders now fear that what’s being presented as a rescue effort is in fact a well-coordinated grab by politically connected elites. “The same people who let these factories rot are now buying them at throwaway prices using proxies,” said one industry source who requested anonymity. “And Aaron Cheruiyot is right in the middle of it.”
The accusations extend to Kevoko land in Muhoroni, now reportedly in the hands of Kipchimchim Group, a conglomerate linked to the senator.
Nyakundi claims Cheruiyot bribed Members of the County Assembly (MCAs) to impeach an official who was defending the land from acquisition.
The group, which operates supermarkets and manages over 20 companies across agriculture, manufacturing, and logistics, is said to have taken over West Valley Sugar Company Ltd in a handover that has drawn criticism for threatening the livelihoods of farmers in the Nyando sugar belt.
These allegations carry particular weight given the historical context of land disputes in Kericho County, where the Kipsigis community has long accused British settlers of stealing their land—a grievance that has fueled legal battles against foreign tea growers since at least 2019.
The Adani Airport Deal Connection
Cheruiyot is also linked to the controversial leasing of Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) to India’s Adani Group, a deal exposed by whistleblower Nelson Amenya.
In a televised interview, Amenya claimed Cheruiyot brokered the 30-year lease, traveling to India to negotiate with Adani Group bosses.
The senator’s legal team demanded a public apology and retraction, threatening defamation charges, but Amenya stood firm, refusing to apologize. The deal, later canceled by President Ruto following public outrage, has been labeled “daylight robbery” by critics.
Money Laundering and Business Empire
Perhaps the most damning accusation involves Sovereign Communication Ltd, a Safaricom dealership where Cheruiyot is allegedly a major stakeholder.
According to sources cited by Nyakundi, the company has been used as a front for money laundering operations.
The business, originally based at Utalii House in Nairobi, was reportedly relocated to Imara Daima after suspicions arose, with Cheruiyot allegedly firing the entire workforce to cover his tracks.
Nyakundi claims the luxurious mansion in Kamelilo was paid for through funds channeled via Sovereign Communication Ltd.
“Sovereign Communications operates as a Safaricom dealership, and was originally based at Utalii House in Nairobi. This business has long served as a discreet laundering vehicle for illicit funds. But when whispers of suspicion began circulating, the Senator panicked. He relocated the entire operation to Imara Daima, Nairobi County a move seemingly designed to avoid scrutiny.
In a desperate bid to cover his tracks, Cheruiyot fired the entire workforce at the Utalii House office. Not only was this aimed at silencing potential internal leaks, but it was also a cold effort to erase any paper trail connecting him to the suspicious financial activities.
One notable transaction further exposes the depth of this alleged scheme. The luxurious house recently posted online, which has drawn public attention, is part of the same web. The payment for this property, as I understand it, was channeled through Sovereign Communication Ltd. From there, the funds were transferred to I&M Bank, where it was processed in a way that masked its origin a classic tactic to hide the traceability of dirty money.” Nyakundi cited his source.
Additional claims point to Cheruiyot’s involvement in Stegro Tea Factory, an Export Processing Zone (EPZ) allegedly used to import goods and evade taxes, and his alleged secret ownership of shares in Sony and Nzoia Sugar Factories, positioning him as what Nyakundi calls a “sugar cartel kingpin.”
The senator’s wife, Linah Chesang, is also implicated, with reports claiming she has amassed significant wealth, including properties abroad, since Ruto’s administration took power in 2022.
Senator’s Defense Under Scrutiny
Senator Cheruiyot has vehemently denied all allegations, calling them “character assassination” and “foolish attempts to blackmail him into submission.”
Speaking on the Senate floor, he refuted claims of involvement in the Adani deal and challenged accusers to verify his travel to India, insisting he is a man of integrity who earned his wealth through hard work.
However, his past comments on corruption may undermine his defense. In 2021, Cheruiyot publicly stated that fighting corruption was the responsibility of the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC), not politicians—a stance that critics now point to as an attempt to deflect accountability.
The senator has challenged Nyakundi to bring his claims to court, but the mounting accusations, coupled with the court’s refusal to silence the blogger, have intensified public scrutiny.
Public Outrage and Political Implications
Public reaction has been swift and polarized. On social media, some users have expressed outrage, with one writing, “If even half of this is true, Cheruiyot should resign immediately.”
Others have cautioned against taking unverified claims at face value, with another user commenting, “Nyakundi needs to provide hard evidence, not just anonymous tips.”
The allegations come at a critical time for Kenya Kwanza’s administration, with critics arguing that Cheruiyot’s alleged actions reflect a broader pattern of corruption within the coalition’s ranks, raising questions about accountability and transparency in government.
Nyakundi’s legal team is reportedly preparing to petition for a lifestyle audit on Cheruiyot, which could further expose his financial dealings.
The blogger has promised to gather more evidence, including potential bank records and audit reports, to support his claims.
What’s Next?
As of May 29, 2025, the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC)—which Cheruiyot himself once said should lead the fight against corruption—has yet to comment on the allegations.
Meanwhile, the senator’s political future hangs in the balance as public pressure mounts for an official investigation.
The Nyakundi-Cheruiyot feud has exposed the murky intersection of politics, land, and money in Kenya, raising urgent questions about accountability and transparency.
Whether these allegations will lead to concrete legal action or remain in the realm of online speculation remains to be seen.
What is clear is that the senator’s “dirty deals,” as Nyakundi calls them, have thrust him into the center of a corruption storm that shows no signs of abating.
As social media buzzes with fresh exposés and investigations loom, Cheruiyot may soon face a reckoning that could define not only his political career but also the broader fight against corruption in Kenya’s corridors of power.
