The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission has assured that stern action will be taken against grabbers of public property in Kisumu.
The commission said it was committed to recover grabbed public land and government houses that were illegally acquired by individuals in the city.
Commissioner John Ogallo revealed that the commission is investigating various land cases meant for public use which have been grabbed in Kisumu.
"We want to assure the citizens that the commission in collaboration with relevant agencies will do all it takes to ensure public lands are recovered," Ogallo said.
He spoke when they paid a courtesy call to Kisumu county government on the commissioning of Corruption Prevention Committee (CPC) guidelines on Thursday.
Ogallo met with county executive members led by acting county secretary Judith Oluoch where they deliberated on promotion of ethics and integrity in the county.
The commissioner presented the guideline document to the county officials.
He noted that the council of governors has collaborated with the commission since inception of devolution towards war on corruption and ensuring good governance.
This comes as several land belonging to government agencies such as Kenya Prison Services, law courts, schools, public parks and Kenya Railways have been grabbed by private developers and illegally registered them under their names.
Already, the commission has recovered some parcels of land including those that were surrendered by powerful politicians and prominent business people to the government.
The EACC also recovered Taifa Park which had been grabbed.
One of such lands includes one where the Kisumu Law Courts are built. The land was grabbed and the title issued to an individual but it has since been recovered by the commission.
The title will soon be handed over to the Chief Justice Martha Koome, the EACC said.
Some of the grabbed government property, especially houses, are in Milimani estate and are owned by powerful individuals.
EACC Western region manager Abraham Kemboi said so many lands which were meant for public use have been grabbed.
"We are investigating several cases of grabbed public land in Kisumu city. It is not going to be possible that you grab public land and get away with it," he said.
They include roads, pathways, markets and schools amongst others.
Kemboi revealed that several cases are in court and nears completion, noting that there are notorious land grabbers in Kisumu.
"Even the land where the Kisumu High Court is located was grabbed. Anybody who has taken any public property will not be spared. They will face the law,” he said.
The manager said the commission has concluded some investigations and will soon be prosecuting those found culpable on the advise of the ODPP.
Beside land, the commission is investigating various corruption related cases in Kisumu, with some already concluded and awaiting prosecution.
