Newly appointed Lands Cabinet Secretary Faridah Karoney is embroiled in a land ownership tussle.

The battle pits Karoney against Nandi County Government, which claims part of the 50-acre riparian land in Sironoy swamp, registered under the name of the new CS.

On Friday, heavily armed policemen were deployed at the property located in Nandi, where the CS has been erecting a perimeter wall with the approval of the court.

Karoney’s attorney, only identified as Tanui said she legally purchased the land from the previous owner, and claims by Nandi County Government that it owns 34 acres of the 50-acre piece are untrue.

“The county will defer the matter until Monday where the lands office will map out its property and also conduct a new fencing exercise,” the lawyer told the Standard.

Karoney is building a mansion in another land adjacent to the one under dispute.

Contacted by Daily Nation for a comment on the matter, the CS, who took oath of office on Friday, said: “There is nothing illegal about the acquisition of this land. I bought it from someone who had a legal title deed and it has been legally transferred to me.”