Nairobi lawyer Guy Spencer Elms is once again facing the courts after being ordered to take a plea in a land dispute case worth more than Sh100 million in Karen.
The matter involves serious charges including forgery, presenting false documents, and attempts to illegally seize property that once belonged to the late British national Roger Robson.
For years, the case has dragged on as Elms reportedly ignored court summons, forcing both the Attorney General and the Director of Public Prosecutions to intervene to ensure the case proceeds.
At the heart of the dispute is businesswoman Agnes Kagure, who claims legal ownership of the contested land, making her one of the key opponents against Elms in this high-profile battle.
Elms, who was born in Britain but has practiced law in Kenya for decades, has now come under heavy scrutiny. Investigators believe he fabricated Robson’s will in an attempt to insert himself as a beneficiary or executor, which would have given him power to take over the land.
Court records detail claims of forged signatures and false legal papers used to back his position.
This is not the first time Elms has faced such accusations, with questions being raised about his professional integrity and ethical record.
The Directorate of Criminal Investigations has been piecing together evidence showing possible manipulation of succession laws through fake documentation and questionable dealings.
The situation becomes even more complicated when looking at Elms’ involvement in another scandal, this time concerning a 53-acre beachfront estate in Msambweni, Kwale County.
In this case, he is accused of working with businessman Nilesh Kumar Shah to forge the will of the late billionaire Pritam Singh Panesar.
Reports show that a disputed title deed presented by Elms and Shah was riddled with inconsistencies, leading to the Lands Ministry revoking their claim to ownership.
However, the matter did not end there, as Panesar’s daughters continue to challenge the will naming Elms and Shah as trustees.
Investigators have also linked Elms to the production of fake identification documents, including a green card allegedly used to facilitate questionable transfers of property.
Testimony from individuals involved in producing these forged documents, such as Henry Philip Nyabuto, connects Elms directly to the financial transactions behind the fraud.
The Kwale case, much like the Karen dispute, reveals a disturbing pattern in Elms’ career, with his name frequently linked to contested estates and forged wills.
Media reports and public records have described him as a repeat offender in property disputes, particularly those involving wealthy foreigners and high-value land.
In the Panesar case, the billions at stake have attracted massive public interest and drawn attention to what many see as loopholes in Kenya’s land and inheritance systems.
The DCI’s findings of altered records, fake signatures, and misuse of legal claims point to organized schemes that have disrupted families and weakened trust in the justice system.
In legal circles, the reputation of Elms continues to decline. Earlier this year, a warrant of arrest was issued against him after failing to appear in court, with claims that he was seeking treatment in London.
At one point, the Director of Public Prosecutions considered dropping charges in the Karen case, but pressure from stakeholders forced the matter back on track.
This has fueled public debate, with online campaigns calling for stronger action under hashtags such as #EndLandFraudKE.
Some lawyers, including former Law Society of Kenya president Nelson Havi, have argued that Elms is being unfairly targeted, yet the growing pile of allegations makes it difficult to ignore the seriousness of the cases against him.
These disputes highlight deeper issues in Kenya’s property and inheritance systems, where unclear laws and weak enforcement often allow room for fraud. Families like the Robsons and Panesars continue to fight in court to protect their rightful inheritance while facing prolonged delays.
For many Kenyans, the case represents the larger challenge of land grabbing that has long plagued both urban and coastal areas.
Questions remain about whether this will finally be the moment when the justice system closes the chapter on repeated abuse of inheritance loopholes. His name now stands not for defending justice but for exploiting it, and the outcome of these cases will be seen as a test of Kenya’s willingness to confront land fraud head-on.
Add Comment