The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has listed more than twenty prominent individuals who allegedly benefitted from parcels of land belonging to the government.
According to the documents retrieved by the commission, the land initially belonged to three different institutions; Kenya Meteorological Department, Kenya Railways and Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organisation.
The public property in question is worth over Ksh30 billion, documents with the anti-graft agency show.
The land belonging to the meteorological department includes 53.4 acres which is estimated to be valued at over Ksh5 billion.
According to the EACC, the land was divided into five pieces and allocated to five companies. The title deeds have since been cancelled.
Wilson Gachanja, the former Commissioner of Lands, was at the centre of the scandal which led to a protracted court battle.
High Court judge, Elijah Obaga faulted Gachanja for alienating the government land for industrial purposes. The judge argued that only the Head of State had such powers.
Another piece of land that was in contention was the 170 acres piece of land belonging to the Kenya Railways. The land, located in Kisumu county, is valued at over Ksh2 billion.
A total of 27 defendants had been enjoined in the court battle seeking possession of the land. Judge Anthony Obwayo, however, ruled in favour of the public.
Among the names that were listed include Gachanja, Gordon Olando, Joseph Atonga, David Some Barno, Tobias Hongo, Jerry Okungu, Judith Okungu, Grace Odhiambo, Esther Chebet Some and former commissioner of lands Sammy Mwaita.
Others included Maurice Angulu, Rachel Nyamboke, Margaret Wambui, Brookway Osore,and Abdul Yussuf Matumba.
The third piece of land included the 2,300 acres of land belonging to the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO).
It is estimated that the property is valued at over Ksh2 billion.
According to the Twalib Mbarak-led Commission, about 1,322 acres of the land was allegedly allocated to Wazazi farmers in 1998, while 990 acres were leased to a local company.
A few years later, former private secretary to Kenya's second President the late Daniel Moi, John Lokorio, surrendered over 140 acres of the land back to the government.
The move to reclaim the grabbed land is part of the EACC's bid to intensify the fight against graft and protect public interest.
