- Kibuye Market ,which is one of the largest market in East and Central Africa hosts more than 5, 000 traders daily.
- Cumulatively, the Commission has also recovered several parcels of land belonging to the Judiciary valued at Sh950 million.
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The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has moved to Court in abid to recover 18 acres of Kibuye Market land in Kisumu.
Kibuye Market ,which is one of the largest market in East and Central Africa hosts more than 5, 000 traders daily.
According to the commission's chief executive officer Twalib Mbarak three parcels belonging to the market, valued at Sh2 billion had been allegedly grabbed a private developer.
The case has been filed before the Kisumu Environment and Land Court
The portion allegedly grabbed by the developer was earmarked by the county for pathways, parking spaces, sewer lines, drainage system, playgrounds and development of ECD, health facilities and construction of affordable housing.
Addressing traders at Kibuye Market on Wednesday, the CEO said the commission kicked-off investigations after the Kisumu Governor Anyan'g Nyong'o filed a report with the agency early this year.
"We have got all the relevant documents relating to the said parcels from the ministry of lands. Subsequently, several people recorded statements and with all the evidence, we filed the suit in court," he said.
According to the EACC, the said private developer has sued the County Government of Kisumu, demanding to be declared the sole owner of the entire market.
He wants all traders in the market evicted or in the alternative, the County Government of Kisumu pays him a compensation of Sh7 billion (equivalent to the county’s annual budget) in order to surrender the property to the county.
The County Government receives revenue collection of approximately Sh400,000 during the weekend and Sh150,000 on each weekeda from the market.
Kibuye Market serves a population from Nyanza, Western and Rift Valley regions in buying and selling farm produce and other merchandise.
The Commission commenced investigations on February 16, 2023, upon receipt of a distress call from the county.
According to EACC, the alleged grabber is holding three titles to the land constituting the entire Kibuye market, which EACC has, through investigations, found to be forgeries made for fraudulent purposes.
The parcels are Kisumu Municipality LR. NO. 5/553 IR No. 15891 registered on June 10, 2014, Kisumu Municipality LR. NO. 180/111 IR No. 122721 registered on June 10, 2014 and Kisumu Municipality LR. NO. 416/166 IR No. 122798 registered on January 15, 2015.
In the suit on October 16, 2023, the private developer is sued alongside a prominent Kisumu businessman of Asian decent , a co-defendant who is also implicated in the grabbin
On Wednesday Mbarak said the commission has also filed another civil suit to recover the Water intake land along the shores of Lake Victoria which had also been grabbed.
" Recovery suit for the government houses, school lands , road reserves ,and the industrial park land has also been filed ," he said.
The CEO further revealed that within Kisumu city , EACC has since recovered the Taifa Park land which is valued at Sh500 million.
Cumulatively, the Commission has also recovered several parcels of land belonging to the Judiciary valued at Sh950 million.
"We have also recovered over 20 parcels of land belonging to Kenya Railways worth Sh2 billion," he said .
He appealed to Kenyans to help the Commission in the fight against corruption in the corruption.
He appealed also to the other governors to work closely with the EACC.
"Look at us as partners. Let's fight graft collectively," he said.
Governor Nyong'o said he was grateful to EACC in its efforts to recover public land that had be grabbed land cartels in the county.
" We will continue to work closely with the commission. As a leader, my responsibility is to protect public interest," he said.