EACC grills former Lands boss over Sh100m land deal

Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) offices at the Integrity centre in Nairobi. [Elvis Ogina, Standard]

Former Commissioner of Lands Sammy Mwaita yesterday appeared before the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) over an allegation of irregularly allocating land worth Sh100 million in Nakuru City.

Mwaita, who also served as Baringo Central MP for two terms, was summoned by investigators at Integrity Centre in Nairobi. This after the anti-graft body commenced investigations over allegations of abuse of office, conflict of interest and fraudulent acquisition of public property.

The irregularities arose from transactions Mwaita allegedly authorised during his tenure as Lands boss.

Mwaita is said to have irregularly used his powers to allocate public land to his brother, Hillary Kipkorir, valued at Sh100 million in 1998.

The land is located in Nakuru where the Kenya National Highways Authority is currently constructing its regional headquarters.

On November 22, the commission obtained orders prohibiting any dealings on the land pending the hearing and determination of the matter.

Justice Anthony Ombwayo of the Environment and Land Court in Nakuru barred Kipkorir from occupying the land, alienating, selling, transferring, charging or developing it.

"The defendant (Kipkorir) is barred from interfering with the land in any way until an application by the EACC is heard and determined," ruled Justice Ombwayo.

The judge certified EACC's application as urgent and set a hearing date for January 26.