A contentious legal dispute between well-known blogger Cyprian Nyakundi and Kericho Senator Aaron Cheruiyot has escalated into a significant corruption scandal, raising serious questions about one of Kenya’s influential political figures.
The situation reached a critical juncture on May 20, 2025, when the Milimani Law Court denied Cheruiyot’s attempt to secure a gag order against Nyakundi. This ruling empowered the blogger to reveal a series of shocking allegations that have ignited public outrage and heightened scrutiny of the senator’s extensive business interests. Cheruiyot, who holds the position of Senate Majority Leader within the ruling Kenya Kwanza coalition, now faces serious claims related to systematic land acquisition, tax evasion in the betting sector, money laundering, and dubious business practices that reportedly extend across various industries.
Senator Cheruiyot’s Legal Battle: What You Need to Know
Court Victory Unleashes Storm of Allegations
The Milimani Law Court’s decision to lift the gag order came after finding no legal basis to restrict Nyakundi’s exposés.
The ruling rejected Cheruiyot’s bid for interim orders, allowing fresh accusations to surface in what has become a defining moment in the senator’s political career.
With the court ruling in his favor, Nyakundi wasted no time taking to social media to air a series of damning allegations that have struck a chord in a country where corruption among the political elite remains a contentious issue.
The Betting Tax Scandal
At the heart of the controversy are allegations that Cheruiyot has profited from irregularities in betting tax collections, with Nyakundi claiming that intermediaries, rather than the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA), are now handling billions in public funds.
Sources allege that under the previous Uhuru Kenyatta administration, betting companies were integrated directly with KRA’s tax collection system, ensuring transparent deposits into government accounts.
However, this system was reportedly dismantled under President William Ruto’s administration, with Cheruiyot allegedly playing a key role.
Nyakundi claims Cheruiyot uses Compulynx Limited, a Kenyan technology firm in which he allegedly acquired substantial shares in 2022, to divert betting taxes for personal gain.
The company’s e-Revenue platform, originally designed for county-level revenue collection, is now reportedly used to handle betting taxes, leading to a significant drop in government revenue despite a 30% increase in betting volume over the past 18 months.
Cheruiyot has dismissed these claims, stating he “doesn’t even know how to bet,” but the allegations have doubled down on earlier accusations of the senator siphoning billions from the industry.
Systematic Land Grabbing Allegations
Among the most serious accusations are claims of systematic land grabbing in Kericho County, where Cheruiyot wields considerable political influence.
Nyakundi alleges that the senator constructed a luxurious mansion in Kamelilo, Ainamoi Constituency, on land originally designated for a coffee factory by Indian investors.
SOURCE: KENYAINSIGHTS
