Busia Senator Okiya Omtatah has vowed to drag the county's governor, Paul Otuoma, to court for allegedly orchestrating a land fraud scheme involving the unlawful acquisition and resale of public land.
Omtatah revealed his move in a demand letter on Wednesday, April 30, where he accused the county government of trying to transact land already owned by the county.
According to the vocal Senator, the county government was attempting to spend Ksh200 million to "buy" the famous Amoni Market land located in Malaba town - a property which he claims belongs to the public.
Omtatah further alleged that even if the land was private, its value stands at Ksh20 million, not Ksh200 million, which the county government allegedly wants to dedicate to it.
"It is well within your knowledge that Amoni Market is public land owned by the county. Hence, your decision not to defend it but to collude with and aid the grabbing is criminal. This is a case of conspiracy, abuse of office, and theft of public resources, which warrants criminal investigation and prosecution by law enforcement agencies," Omtatah said in the demand letter.
“This is theft, not governance. We must remain vigilant and call out theft of public resources and blatant fraud.”
In light of the allegations, Omtatah has written to the graft commission, EACC, requesting the prosecution of those involved in the alleged land fraud.
Part of the demands in his letter is the quashing of newly issued title deeds and the land recovered for public use. He also wants the county government to be banned from furthering any transactions on the same.
The land, according to the letter, was acquired in 1990 by the now-defunct Busia County Council. At the time, Omtatah claimed the purchase was worth Ksh130,000. The Senator noted that since its acquisition, the land has been included in official County Integrated Development Plans (CIDPS).
After the acquisition, the land was allegedly earmarked for the development of a public market.
Omtatah is no stranger to taking on Busia governor Paul Otuoma's administration. In February last year, he filed a petition against the county boss, accusing him of undermining his oversight role.
At the time, the Senator alleged he wrote numerous letters through various County Executive Committee Members, demanding an audit of public funds. All his demands, he claimed, were snubbed.
