The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission has begun the process of recovering 130 parcels of grabbed public land in some towns in the Mt Kenya region.
A source close to the Commission said they are located in high-end residential areas in Nyeri, Nanyuki and Nyahururu towns/
Their cumulative value is approximated at Sh2 billion.
"The cases are at various stages of recovery. Some are under investigations while others are under recovery proceedings in court," the source said.
In Nyeri, the anti-graft commission has investigated over 60 parcels of land worth over Sh1 Billion and filed 30 recovery suits at the Nyeri Environment and Land Court.
The Commission is seeking to nullify title deeds held by private persons in the suits whose hearing is ongoing.
"One of these parcels was illegally alienated from the residence of the County Criminal Investigations Officer (CCIO) and is currently owned by a former Judge of the High Court," the source added.
In Nyahururu, the Commission has recovered a bus park valued at Sh100 million, in a suit filed before Justice Agima of Nyahururu ELC.
The Commission is currently processing the title for handover back to the County Government of Laikipia.
EACC is also investigating over 30 parcels of grabbed public land for recovery including the Chief Magistrate’s official residence and various parcels belonging to the Judiciary, Ministry of Roads and Ministry of Public Works.
In Nanyuki, the body is investigating the grabbing of over 40 parcels of prime land and government houses, including parcels reserved for the County Commissioner’s residence, Nanyuki Law Courts, Police Station, Prisons, Chief’s camp, Kenya National Highways Authority, Kenya Rural Roads Authority, Nanyuki High School and Nanyuki Polytechnic, among others.
The Commission has urged any persons holding titles to grab public land in any part of the country to voluntarily surrender them to the Commission under the Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) framework.
"That way, they could avoid eventual forfeiture of such properties through costly litigation."
