Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko has requested that investigations be opened into judicial officers, who he claims are involved in property fraud through forged documents.
In a letter copied to the EACC, the Law Society of Kenya, the Chief Justice and the Director of Public Prosecutions, Sonko accused cartels of colluding with judiciary staff to use forged documents in illegal property transfers.
Sonko invited the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) among other officials to investigate land cartels in City Hall. He accused unnamed persons of fraudulently dispossessing and transferring properties belonging to innocent citizens.
Sonko stated that landowners, mainly of Asian origin, have been losing prime property to the same cartels even before the expiry of their leases.
"These cartels use fake documents, rate demand notices, and stolen lease renewal documents to obtain court orders from unsuspecting judges and magistrates," reads part of the letter.
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"This letter is, therefore, to invite your good offices to swiftly move with speed and investigate fraud at the rates department at City Hall with immediate effect (sic)," he added.
The Governor claims previous attempts to probe the Lands department have been thwarted by the same cartels who "work in cahoots with some corrupt and unscrupulous City Hall officers".
"Unlike in the past, I wish to assure you of my administration's full cooperation and support that would see you carry thorough, structured, consistent, fair and transparent investigations with a view to bringing the suspects to book and face the law," he added. Shortly after he was sworn in, Sonko led a sting operation and recovered Sh7 million unbanked cash from City Hall.
[caption caption="Governor Mike Sonko"]
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Sonko affirmed that Nairobi will never be the same again and made promises including ending corruption, handling the garbage menace and protecting small business owners.
"I shall work round the clock to guarantee efficient and timely services for all our residents," he stated.
