Nairobi — The State has moved to court to determine who among relatives of a former colonial chief should benefit from a Sh145.5 million compensation.

An assistant commissioner of Lands, Mr Elias Gitari on Monday told the court that the Ministry of Agriculture had requested the Ministry of Lands to acquire a 134-acre piece of land on the outskirts of Nyeri town belonging to the family of Colonial chief Wambugu Mathangani.

The land is used as an agricultural training centre.

Mr Gitari said an inquiry to determine the owners of the land and those to be compensated was held in April 2007.

Initially, the witness told Mr Justice Milton Makhandia, 70 claimants came up but the number was reduced to 32.

He said his office wanted the court's help because the number of those claiming it kept on increasing.

"There have been so many letters of people claiming an interest in this matter with some even claiming to be the sons of the original owner of the land," said Mr Gitari.

Initially, there were five registered trustees of the land. A six-member committee formed to liaise with the Lands office over the matter, also came up with a list of 27 people who should be beneficiaries, said Mr Gitari.

Later, the committee, in agreement with others, included more names, bringing the total to 37, including the trustees.

The hearing continues on Wednesday.