A personal assistant to an MP from the Coast has been charged before a Mombasa court after he was accused of land grabbing.
The officials also faced charges of malicious damage to property and conspiracy to commit a felony in connection with the disputed three-acre parcel of land.
The lawmaker's PA was arrested by detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) before he was presented before the Shanzu Law Courts on Wednesday.
“A Personal Assistant to a Member of Parliament in the coastal region was arrested and charged following completion of investigations involving a disputed 3-acre parcel of land located in Kilifi South, which he is believed to have grabbed from the original owner,” part of the statement by the DCI read.
The scandal dates back to June 2024, when the PA was accused of destroying a perimeter wall erected by the rightful landowner.
The land, subdivided into three plots, became the centre of controversy after investigations revealed the PA's involvement in its alleged unlawful acquisition.
After an intense inquiry, the detectives from Kilifi South found sufficient evidence implicating him, a conclusion that was backed by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP).
“A notorious perpetrator in a case of malicious damage to property and conspiracy to commit a felony, one Victor, has been arraigned at Shanzu Law Courts, charged with the two counts,” the statement continued.
The perpetrator was remanded at Shimo la Tewa prison until June 11, awaiting a pre-bail report.
Although the DCI has not revealed the MP's name, it has confirmed that the lawmaker is from the Coast.
This is not the first time top officials in Kenya have been roped in land grabbing scandals. In recent years, even former presidents have been caught up in land disputes, with allegations of fraudulent title deeds surfacing in places like Karen, Nyeri, and Diani Beach.
These cases highlight how powerful individuals have leveraged their influence to manipulate land transactions, often at the expense of rightful owners.
The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has also been actively investigating former government officials linked to grabbing public land and houses worth billions.
