The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has successfully recovered a parcel of public land in Kakamega Municipality valued at Ksh20 million.
The land, measuring 0.9 hectares, was originally set aside for housing civil servants under the Ministry of Housing.
The Land Commissioner then oversaw the subdivision of the land into three parcels in 1996, and one plot was leased to a private owner for 99 years.
According to court documents, the parcel in question—Kakamega Municipality Block 111/100—was registered on December 28, 1974. It was classified as trust land, meaning it was not to be allocated or transferred to private individuals under any circumstances.
The recovery follows a High Court judgment delivered on August 6, 2025, by Justice Philip Mutua. The court declared that any lease or title issued over the land was irregular, null, and void, as the land was never meant for private ownership.
The ruling came after investigations revealed that the land had been unlawfully occupied and transferred.
The court ordered the cancellation of all unlawful entries on the land’s registry and directed that vacant possession be surrendered to the government. A permanent injunction was also issued to prevent any further dealings with the land.
According to EACC, this marks a significant victory for the commission in its ongoing efforts to protect public property and combat land grabbing in Kenya. The Commission emphasised that land designated for public use, especially for essential services like housing, must be preserved.
''This decisive ruling not only restores the land to the rightful owner but also sends a strong message that public resources are not for private grabbing,'' EACC said.
Adding that, ''The EACC remains committed to protecting Kenya’s public assets and holding all who engage in corruption accountable.''
In July, the Commission recovered public land worth Ksh104 million in Mombasa after a landmark ruling by the Environment and Land Court.
The reclaimed parcel, belonging to the Kenya Airports Authority (KAA), was allegedly unlawfully acquired by a former Coast Province Physical planner.
