Former Eldoret East MP Joseph Lagat risks six-month jail term for contempt.

This is after an Eldoret-based real estate developer Duncan Kitur sought a summon against the former lawmaker to appear before the Eldoret High Court to give reasons why he should not be committed to civil jail.

The summons were issued against Lagat, after he defied a court order that had barred him from interfering with the applicant’s Sh30 million property situated in Chepkanga area along the Eldoret-Iten highway in Uasin Gishu.

Kitur had sued Lagat after he reportedly moved onto the land and started ploughing despite the existence of a court order.

Lagat, however, argues that he is the legal owner of the property in dispute, which he said he has owned for the past two decades. Kitur claims Lagat evicted him from his land despite the fact that he has the title deed for the property whereas he (Lagat) has nothing to show that it belongs to him.

 Lagat was recently appointed by President William Ruto as the chairman of National Mining Corporation.

Court order signed by the then Lands and Environment Judge, Justice Millicent Odeny on March 14, 2018 states: “In the meantime, the status quo to be maintained that the plaintiff/applicant to remain in possession and no felling of trees or construction of any kind before the hearing date.

The former MP is set to appear before Judge Justice Elijah Obaga for cross-examination on his affidavit filed before the court. Matter will me mentioned on January 13, 2024.