EACC begins probe to recover grabbed public land in Kericho

Kericho governor Dr. Erick Mutai (in gumboots) kicks down a fence erected in a two-acre piece of land meant for Kericho dumpsite and allegedly grabbed by a private developer.[Maxwell Agwanda, Standard]

The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has initiated investigations to recover six parcels of public land in Kericho, allegedly grabbed by private developers.

According to EACC South Rift Regional Officer Ignatius Wekesa, the land valued at approximately Sh400 million was under the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) when it was allocated to private individuals.

In a lawsuit filed at the Kericho Environment and Land Court, the agency now wants the court to nullify all illegal transactions and cancel unauthorised entries in the land register.

Additionally, EACC is also investigating other instances of corruption within Kericho County, including embezzlement of public funds, conflicts of interest, and unexplained wealth by some senior county officials. 

Those implicated include County Executive Committee (CEC) members, Chief Officers, and employees in the finance and procurement departments who are allegedly conducting business with the government through proxy companies.

The Commission is also probing several other graft cases in the region, such as the alleged misappropriation of Sh55.4m  in the construction of Kerenga Airstrip, Sh244m in the Londiani roads project, Sh39 million from the Kazi Kwa Vijana equalization program, and Sh102 million in the Kipkonob water project.

EACC further raised concerns about an increase in fraudsters impersonating its detectives, who are conning unsuspecting public officials and business people, urging those in possession of public land to surrender, or face action.