The chairman of Ilkarekeshe Group Trust and another official yesterday charged with forging a land title deed in a Kilgoris court.

Francis ole Ramet and Lekishon ole Morindat are accused of forging the document for 26,000 hactares of land near the Maasai Mara game reserve. The forged title deed, which is purported to have been issued by the Trans Mara district land registrar, shows that the group owns the land. They are also accused of refusing to have their finger prints taken at the Kilgoris police station after being arrested to record statements.

Ramet and Morindat are said to have run an advertisement in the newspaper claiming that the Lands minister James Orengo had revoked a title deed of the land in the possession of the Oloololo Game Ranch. The advert appeared in the Star newspaper on July 7. The accused, who were represented by Ken Kilel, denied the charges before Principal Magistrate Benard Ochieng. They asked the court to allow them time to have their finger prints taken before the case could proceed.

Prosecutor Inspector David Kirui asked the court to remand the suspects for 14 days to stop them from interfering with case because other accused persons have yet to be arrested. Kilel asked the court to release his clients on bond saying they are not likely to interfere with the case. He said it was wrong for the police to arrest and charge his clients before completing investigations. "I ask this court to release my clients on bond because there is no evidence that they are in possession of the forged documents and no compelling reasons to keep them in remand," said Kilel. However, Ochieng ordered Ramet and Morindat remanded for seven days for the police to complete investigations. The case will be mentioned on Monday July 16, 2012.