Kenya’s Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission seeks help on building sale mystery

NAIROBI: The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission has sought the help of the National Land Commission in the investigations into the sale and transfer of the Integrity Centre building.

EACC Chairman Mumo Matemu wrote to his NLC counterpart Muhammad Swazuri saying they are seeking to establish whether there was any corruption in the transaction.

"On our part, we are looking into any possible acts of corruption that may have taken place," said Matemu in the letter dated April 13.

The letter was copied to Criminal Investigations Department Director Ndegwa Muhoro and Parliamentary Lands Committee chairman Alex Mwiru, who is also the Tharaka MP. He said in November 1994, Revak Ltd, which was the registered proprietor of the land where the building sits, took an unsecured loan of Sh152 million from Trade Finance Ltd.

"However, when the financial institution went under and was placed under the Central Bank's Deposit Protection Fund, a court order was issued securing the loan by placing a charge against the property," said Matemu.

Deputy CEO Michael Mubea was among those to be probed on allegations of improper conduct over the transfer of Integrity Centre.

The iconic building is being claimed by Tegus Ltd and it has informed EACC that it will not renew its lease, which expires on June 30.

In documents seen by The Standard, EACC investigator Kipsang Sambai claimed the building is owned by lawyer Ahmed Adan and his wife Asha Adan. However, Mr Adan, a partner in Wetang'ula, Adan and Makokha Company Advocates said he does not own Integrity Centre.

"It is common practice for lawyers to hold property for their clients in trust. That does not mean the property belongs to me," he said.

Adan said his client, who he declined to disclose, paid over Sh700 million to redeem the building from the Deposit Protection Fund Board which took over the building after the fall of Trust Bank in 2001.

In letters of complaint to Matemu and Muhoro, Tegus lawyer Kipkenda Kiplagat accused EACC commissioner Irene Keino and Sambai of trying to change the title of the land on which Integrity Centre stands.