Nangooyia ene Niini is definitely out to make history at Kikelelwa in Loitokitok sub-county as the first Maasai woman in the area to win a property tussle. The woman had just won a succession battle against her step-brother Metui Ole Niini. It was a protracted battle over property left by Niini Ole Nentiish after he died in 1993. The old man of ilterito age-set had three wives with Nangooyia being the last-born child of the first wife. On the other hand, Metui’s mother was the last wife.
Nangooyia on her part had been forced back home by her father after a sour relationship with her former husband. It is said that she was of great assistance to her late father when old age beckoned. Before his father died, he had left a will that she be one of the inheritors of his 94 acre land. In fact he had divided his land into three portions for all his wives.
But Metui who was absent throughout his father’s final years would hear none of that. In effect, he set in motion a plan to disinherit her elder sister and all the other beneficiaries.
However, through God’s grace, some clever persons advised her to lodge a court case against her unscrupulous brother who had started selling the said land indiscriminately. But as fate would have it, the court reversed the Confirmation of Grants which were in favor of Metui and ordered Nangooyia to be incorporated in the administration of his late father’s estate.
Those who bought the land without following proper procedure are now in trouble as the court order start taking effect. The administration and security agencies have moved with speed to implement the court order.
It is instructive to note that traditionally, land was owned communally by men with women laying no claim at all. However, the new constitution has made provision for gender equality on the sharing of land and property. Maasai men have no choice but to swallow bitter pills.
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