Former Partner’s Dispute With Earthtree Shifts Beyond The Courtroom

What began as a legal disagreement between former collaborators has now extended far beyond the courtroom.

Festus Kiplagat, once a local partner in the Earthtree project, took the matter to court after the partnership ended. The dispute centered on his role and involvement in the initiative. The court ultimately dismissed the case, finding insufficient grounds to support his claims.

Earthtree is an environmental and community development initiative in Kenya, aimed at restoring degraded land, improving local livelihoods, and fostering long-term economic opportunities. Kiplagat, Founder and CEO of GPI2050, was involved in the project’s early stages before the partnership concluded.

Following the court decision, disagreements did not end. Instead, they shifted into the public domain. Over the weeks that followed, various online statements and materials began circulating, portraying Earthtree in an unfavorable light. Some of these messages questioned the project’s structure, leadership, and foreign partnerships. Others suggested the community was not benefiting as intended.

Representatives of Earthtree maintain that these claims misrepresent the reality on the ground, pointing to ongoing support from community members and documented progress in reforestation and local economic activities. According to the organization, the project continues to operate in close coordination with local stakeholders and government bodies.

Some of the criticisms have been attributed to online accounts linked to individuals associated with Kiplagat, although he has not publicly confirmed involvement in these activities. The nature of the online material varies, including repurposed videos on unrelated topics that are then used to raise concerns about Earthtree.

The debate has at times become heated. Journalists covering the dispute report having received strong responses after publishing critical assessments of the claims. Media observers note that such disputes between former partners in community projects can escalate quickly, especially when questions of leadership, funding, and community benefit are involved.

The situation highlights a broader challenge in development projects: the need for transparent communication and clear partnership agreements from the outset. Without these, disagreements can become prolonged, shifting from formal legal channels into public disputes that risk overshadowing the work being done on the ground.

For now, Earthtree says it will remain focused on its mission and will continue working with local communities to achieve its environmental and economic goals. While the disagreement with its former partner remains unresolved in the public sphere, the organization stresses that its projects are ongoing and that it remains committed to transparency and accountability in its operations.

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