A suspect involved in the sale of Ksh1 billion land to the government for the development of Konza City has confessed to how the deal was fraudulently done.
Testifying before Chief Magistrate Lawrence Mugambi of the Milimani Anti-Corruption Court, the suspect revealed that he signed off the sale of the 5000-acre ranch without the consent of the shareholders.
The suspect was serving as the chairperson of the ranch at the time.
A statement by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecution (ODPP) indicated that the suspect made the confession in court on October 6, during the hearing of the matter.
The suspect was accused of conspiring with others to defraud over Ksh500 million which was part of the payment made by the government.
"He admitted signing approval in the sale of the 5000 acres of land to the Ministry of Information and Communication between February 2, 2009, and January 11, 2010, without shareholders’ resolution.
"The suspect and two others face six counts of conspiracy to defraud, stealing Ksh553,831,731 being the sale proceeds of the ranch land and breach of trust in the sale of the land without shareholders’ resolution," read the statement in part.
Further, it was revealed that the Ksh1 billion was paid through a lawyer. However, other members were not involved in the approval of other payments made using the money.
"He stated that the ranch board members approved payment of Ksh28 million as legal fees and other payments for valuers contracted to evaluate the property of those who had settled and developed the land without the members’ resolution," ODPP stated.
The hearing of the case is scheduled to continue with 31 witnesses already having testified in the corruption court.
Konza City, launched in 2009, was among president Mwai Kibaki's Vision 2030 legacy projects.
The city is set to be a hub hosting various companies that will advance technology in the country.
