Equity Bank Group Chief Executive Officer James Mwangi has suffered another legal setback after the Court of Appeal declined to stay the execution of a High Court judgment that ruled against him in a high-stakes Sh1 billion land dispute in Nairobi’s upmarket Muthaiga area.
The dispute involves ownership of the contested property between Mwangi, his wife Jane Wangui Mwangi, and Mount Pleasant Limited. On January 7, 2026, the High Court granted Mount Pleasant Limited possession of the property, an order that was subsequently executed under police supervision.
In a ruling delivered by Justice Jennifer Mutuku, the court confirmed that the possession order had already been enforced. “The above court order has been executed today under the supervision of the OCS Gigiri, and the plaintiff Mount Pleasant Limited has now gained possession of the property,” the judge ruled.
Dissatisfied with the execution, Mwangi moved to the Court of Appeal seeking to halt enforcement of the judgment. However, instead of granting a stay, the appellate court ordered that the status quo be maintained and directed Mwangi to deposit Sh10 million as security pending the hearing and determination of the appeal.
In a decision delivered on February 4, 2026, a bench comprising Court of Appeal President Daniel Musinga and judges Patrick Kiage and Ole Muchelule recorded a consent between the parties, effectively freezing any further dealings with the disputed property.
The judges directed Mwangi to deposit the Sh10 million in an interest-earning joint account held by lawyers representing both sides within 60 days. The court said the security was necessary to protect Mount Pleasant Limited should Mwangi’s appeal fail.
At the same time, the court ordered that the appeal be fast-tracked. Parties were directed to attend a case management conference within 30 days and file written submissions and authorities ahead of the hearing.
The appeal arises from a judgment delivered on October 23, 2025, by Environment and Land Court (ELC) Judge Obaga Angote in ELC Case No. E038 of 2020, which ruled on the ownership and registration of the contested land. The case also involves the Chief Land Registrar and the National Land Commission over alleged irregularities in the land registration process.
While Equity Bank is not a party to the proceedings, the case has drawn significant public attention due to Mwangi’s position as the long-serving head of one of Kenya’s largest banking institutions.
The Court of Appeal will now determine whether the ELC erred in its findings on title and compliance with land laws. Until then, Mwangi is required to comply with the Sh10 million security deposit and refrain from any dealings with the property as the legal battle proceeds to its next phase.
