A couple based in Nyali Mombasa lost their prime property valued at Ksh52 million in a protracted row with the national government.
In a statement released by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission on Thursday, May 11, the couple reportedly fraudulently acquired the prime piece of property.
It was established that an official from the Ministry of Land aided the couple in acquiring the bungalow in Nyali, Mombasa County.
Besides the 4-bedroomed bungalow, the land parcel had a servant quarter erected.
While delivering her judgment, Lady Justice Nelly Matheka of the Mombasa Environment and Land established that the parcel of land was grabbed.
After evaluating the evidence of both parties, Justice Matheka discovered that the land was reserved for Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) staff.
She thus ordered the cancellation of the title deed issued to the couple.
"Justice Matheka issued a declaration that the allocation of the property to the couple was irregular, fraudulent, and illegal, and thus null and void," the EACC statement read in part.,
"Accordingly, she ordered the cancellation of the title and all entries made in the land register in favour of the couple," the statement added.
Following the verdict, EACC extended the probe to lands officials to establish how they abetted the fraudulent acquisition of Mombasa's prime piece of land.
The anti-grant body revealed that it seeks to recover Ksh40 billion from individuals who benefitted from the property and other resources using dubious means.
Among the assets pursued by the commission include land, apartments, vehicles, money and other assets.
"The Nyali recovery case is part of recovery suits worth over Ksh40 billion currently pending before various courts across the country where EACC is seeking orders to compel the illegal owners of public property to surrender the same back to the public," EACC indicated.
"Any person who illegally owns or is in possession of public property is at liberty to engage EACC in negotiations to voluntarily surrender the same under the Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) mechanism instead of awaiting lengthy and costly litigation," EACC added.
Bishop David Oginde was sworn in as the EACC chairperson on Tuesday, May 9. In his inauguration speech, Oginde pledged to work with the local and international community to boost EACC's anti-graft strategies, build an institutional support system to ensure adequate capacity to fight corruption and champion nationwide anti-corruption campaigns.
