The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has issued a stern warning to land registrars following the successful recovery of a half-acre property worth Ksh 40 million in Nakuru City. EACC’s Deputy Director of Corporate Affairs and Communication, Eric Ngumbi, emphasized the commission’s commitment to tackling land grabbing and holding land registrars accountable.
Investigation and Arrests
Investigations by the EACC revealed that land registrars are often complicit in the illegal acquisition of government property. As part of their intensified crackdown, the EACC has prioritized the investigation, arrest, and prosecution of land registrars involved in land grabbing.
In a recent operation, the EACC arrested Felix Nyakundi, a land registrar from Thika, Kiambu. Nyakundi is set to face charges related to his involvement in the illegal activities. This arrest underscores the EACC’s resolve to address corruption within the land registration system.
Recovery of St Xavier’s Estate Property
The EACC’s latest success involves the recovery of a valuable property in St Xavier’s Estate, Nakuru. The land, which was earmarked for government housing and occupied by government employees, was part of a larger 24-unit property that the EACC sought to reclaim through legal channels.
Legal Proceedings and Judgment
The recovery effort was bolstered by a judgment from Environment and Land Court Judge Mwangi Njoroge on April 20, 2024. Judge Njoroge declared the allocation and issuance of the lease for the property by Wilson Gachanja, a former Commissioner of Land, to be illegal. The court issued a permanent injunction preventing Gachanja’s associates from developing, transferring, or leasing the land. Additionally, the court ordered the Land Registrar in Nakuru to remove all illegal entries from the property register.
EACC’s Stand
Eric Ngumbi highlighted that the property, constructed in 1950, was designated for government housing and was not available for privatization. The EACC’s evidence in court was uncontested, though Gachanja defended his actions by claiming he signed the certificate of lease as part of his official duties based on recommendations from other officers.
The EACC’s recovery of the Ksh 40 million property and the arrest of Felix Nyakundi demonstrate the commission’s ongoing efforts to combat corruption and illegal land transactions. The EACC’s message to land registrars is clear: complicity in land grabbing will not be tolerated, and legal actions will be pursued to ensure the protection of government assets.
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