The battle for a prime slice of Kwale County has escalated to the highest court in the land. Businessman Richard Kimani, a titan of Kenyan industry known for his Kevian Kenya empire, has filed a notice of appeal in the Supreme Court, challenging a devastating blow dealt by the Court of Appeal late last year.

The dispute, which has dragged on for years, centers on a controversial parcel of land in the coastal region. The Court of Appeal’s judgment on December 11, 2025, appeared to seal Kimani’s fate, but the industrialist is not going down without a fight. His move to the Supreme Court signals that this is not just about acreage; it is about commercial interests, precedent, and the interpretation of property rights in Kenya.

The Stakes in Kwale

For Kimani, whose business interests span from fruit processing to water bottling, land is a critical asset. The Kwale property is believed to be central to his expansion plans. Losing it would not only be a financial hit but a strategic setback. The details of the Court of Appeal ruling remain scrutinized, but Kimani’s legal team contends that there are fundamental constitutional issues at play that warrant the Supreme Court's intervention.

"We believe the appellate court erred in law," a source close to the legal team intimated. The appeal will likely hinge on technicalities regarding land adjudication and title sanctity—issues that are perennial hot potatoes in the Coast region, where historical land injustices often collide with modern investment.

• The Legal Threshold: To succeed, Kimani must prove that his case involves a matter of "general public importance" or a substantial constitutional question. The Supreme Court is not a walk-in clinic for every grievance.
• The Local Context: Kwale is a region sensitive to land ownership. Big business vs. local claims is a narrative that always carries political undertones.
• The Kevian Factor: As a major employer, Kimani’s legal battles attract attention. His success or failure sends signals to other investors about the security of tenure in Kenya.

A War of Attrition

Litigation of this magnitude is a war of attrition. It drains resources and creates uncertainty. By escalating to the Supreme Court, Kimani is betting on a final roll of the dice. It is a high-risk strategy. A loss here would be definitive, closing the door on the dispute forever.

As the files move to the Supreme Court registry, the business community and land rights activists alike will be watching. The verdict, when it eventually comes, will add another layer to Kenya’s complex jurisprudence on land, investment, and the rights of the title holder.