An investor in Kenya risks losing a private Island worth billions of shillings after the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) made it a target.
A report by Nation on Monday, March 15, indicated that the agency had sued the investor seeking to have the Island, located near the world-famous Diani Beach, reverted back to the state.
In the application, EACC seeks to bar the proprietor from taking possession, transferring or developing the land estimated to be over 31 acres.
The island consists of an exclusive and breathtaking Chale Resort, one of the few individual island resort in Kenya.
EACC further argued that the island is a preserved monument and that the alleged owners hived it off fraudulently from Chale Island Sacred Grove and Diani Chale Marine National park, both of which are public.
"The island was preserved as a monument of historical and cultural interest and an area of land requiring maintenance, thus a protected area," argued EACC.
The agency further claimed that the investor disregarded a Gazette notice acknowledging that the parcel was a preserved monument and proceeded to subdivide the land.
The also revealed that the owners acquired the parcel for private use without following the law.
The Agency has also gone after Kwale land registrars, who it claims diverted the public interest parcel to enrich a few rich individuals.
Chale Island Resort, which stands on the portion of the island, is an exquisite and breathtaking property that boasts of a tranquil and serene environment at the Kenyan coast.
Over two-thirds of the island is covered by ancient Mangrove forest and the resort stands in its middle.
EACC argued that the island and the Indian Ocean waters surrounding it had been gazetted as public interest property.
A Mombasa Court ordered that the property should remain put awaiting the determination of the suit filed by EACC. The parties in the suit were ordered to file responses within 30 days.
Ruto Arrives in Rome for Pope Francis Burial News Just In
