Court rules against Equity Bank CEO in Sh1 billion Muthaiga land dispute

In a significant legal blow, Equity Group CEO James Mwangi and his wife, Jane Wangui Mundia, were ordered to vacate a multi-billion shilling property in Nairobi’s Muthaiga area. 

On February 4, 2026, the Court of Appeal declined to halt a previous High Court judgment that nullified their ownership of the land, valued at approximately Sh1 billion. 

The Environment and Land Court (ELC) ruled in October 2025 that Mount Pleasant Limited is the rightful owner of the property.

The court found that former President Daniel arap Moi had already transferred the land in 1982 to the Magugu family, who later sold it to Mount Pleasant in 2006. Consequently, Moi had no legal interest to sell the land to the Mwangis in 2012.

Justice Oscar Angote highlighted “glaring irregularities” in the Mwangis’ title, including unsigned registry entries, missing files, and inconsistent document references.

The court ordered the couple to:Vacate the property immediately, deposit Sh10 million in a joint interest-earning account as security while their appeal proceeds and pay Sh10 million in damages for trespass to Mount Pleasant Limited. 

The Court of Appeal has directed that the main appeal be fast-tracked for a final determination.

By Anthony Solly