How widow saved late husband's tea farm from alleged grabber
Rift Valley
By
Daniel Chege
| Jan 05, 2026
A woman has succeeded in her bid to protect her late husband’s prime tea plantation farm in Olenguruone, Nakuru County, from an alleged grabber.
Annie Wamuyu won a contempt of court case against Solomon Rugut after the court found him guilty of disobeying its order, which stopped him from interfering with the farm’s ownership.
Judge Hedwig Ong’udi ruled that Rugut disobeyed two orders issued on March 15, 2013 and June 28, 2018.
In the orders, the court had stopped Rugut from carrying out any activities on the farm but evidence provided by Wamuyu proved that he did not comply.
“There is no dispute that in the two orders, the court compelled the defendant (Rugut) not to interfere with the plaintiff’s (Wamuyu) land,” noted Ong’udi.
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He said that evidence provided before her showed that Rugut was aware of the orders, since in the two occasions, he was represented by his lawyer and he was present when the last order was issued.
Further, Ong’udi observed that in the June 28, 2018 order, the court had warned Rugut that in the event he does not comply, he would be arrested and charged with contempt of court.
“From the photographs annexed in the affidavit in support of the application, there is no doubt that the said orders have not been complied with,” ruled Ong’udi.
Ong’udi pointed out that in some of the photographs, Rugut’s workers were seen in the farm plucking tea leaves.
The judge also condemned Rugut for not responding to the contempt application, in order to explain to the court, the reasons for non-compliance, despite being served with the application.
“There is no doubt that the elements of contempt against the defendant have been proven by the plaintiff to the extent that the orders were clear and he was aware of them,” she ruled.
Ong’udi pumped the court’s authority, insisting that it would not fold its hands and watch helplessly as orders were disobeyed with impunity.
“The court has a duty of protecting the dignity and authority of the court, bestowed upon it by the Constitution. The same promotes the rule of law, enhances public confidence in the justice system and protects the interest of parties before the court,” ruled Ong’udi.
Owing to the same, the court summoned Rugut to appear on February 12, to explain himself and be sentenced.
The ruling followed Wamuyu’s application. She deposed that her late husband Joseph Mundia won the land case against Rugut on March 15, 2013 and a decree was issued on October 10, same year.
However, she claimed that sometime in 2018, Rugut attempted to occupy the farm, forcing the court to issue the second order stopping the same on June 28, 2018.
“On February 1, 2024 and March 1, 2024, the respondent invaded the farm, cut down the trees and burnt others without due regard to the court orders,” she alleged.
She applied for Rugut to be cited for contempt, be committed to civil jail for six months until he complies with the orders or he be fined at least Sh300,000.
“The court should also ensure that the Officer Commanding Olenguruone Police Station enforces the orders,” she submitted.
Rugut filed no response to the application.
The case will be mentioned on February 12.