Parliamentary Lands Committee Directs DCI Kinoti to Investigate CS Fred Matiang'i

The National Assembly Lands Committee has directed the Director of Criminal Investigations (DCI) George Kinoti to open investigations into Interior Cabinet Fred Matiang'i and Treasury CS Henry Rotich role in the Ksh1.5 Billion Ruaraka land scandal.

In the report adopted by the committee and presented to Parliament on Thursday, the MPs called for Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) officials involved to be investigated as well.

The DCI was also directed to probe National Land  Commission (NLC) chairperson Mohammed Swazuri, his commissioners and staff for their recommendations in the payment of the land.

“The DCI should investigate Swazuri and his team for contravening the Constitution and recommending the payment of Sh1.5 billion as part payment for the compulsorily acquired land. This amount should not have been paid,” part of the report conveys.

[caption caption="DCI George Kinoti"][/caption]

The committee noted that NLC failed to involve Ruaraka High School and Drive-In Primary School which sit on the 13.7-acre piece of land in any form of public participation.

On Tuesday, EACC handed over a file to the DPP with the names of 24 people including government officials they want prosecuted over the scandal

Appearing for questioning in May, Lands Cabinet Secretary Farida Karoney blamed CS Matiang’i and NLC chairman for the improper acquisition of the controversial piece of land in Ruaraka constituency.

CS Karoney admitted that the government officials did not follow due process when Ksh1.5 Billion was paid to Huelands and Afrison Export company for the parcel where Ruaraka High and Drive Inn Primary Schools are built.

“We could have done better as a government on the process of purchasing the land.

“The government cannot claim advance possession of private land before purchasing it. This should not be allowed to happen. You either own it or not,” she told the Senate Public Accounts and Investments Committee.

[caption caption="Lands Cabinet Secretary Farida Karoney"][/caption]

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