The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has taken decisive legal action by filing a lawsuit against an Energy Company amidst a contentious land dispute involving the Kenya Railway Corporation. This lawsuit also implicates the Neno Evangelism Centre, owned by Pastor Ng’ang’a, situated on the disputed land.
The lawsuit further extends to former land officials who held office between 1975 and 1999, a period crucial to the allocation of the disputed land to private developers. EACC’s suit papers allege the involvement of a former physical planning director from the Ministry of Lands in the land commissioning process.
This legal battle unfolds in the Environment and Land Court in Nairobi, which has highlighted the significance of the land in question. Situated along the Uhuru Highway, it was originally reserved for public utilities to alleviate Nairobi’s traffic congestion.
“EACC contends that the property was land earmarked for public utilities and therefore was not available for allocation,” stated EACC. “Hence, the purported alienation and creation of LR No. 209/9641 and LR No. 209/12133 by the defendants were fraudulent, illegal, null, and void.”
This development follows an alert raised by the Thika town Member of Parliament (MP) regarding potential land grabs involving the Ministry of Public Works. The MP revealed that two alleged land grabbers have initiated legal action against the government, asserting ownership over a parcel along the Thika-Garissa Highway.
“The people who were born and raised in Thika, we have always known this place to be known as MOW. Even the property that is here belongs to the ministry,” emphasized Ng’ang’a. The pastor also urged for a thorough investigation into Ministry of Lands’ officials implicated in leasing the disputed land to the two developers, who are now seeking compensation.
“These two gentlemen have taken us to court, telling us we need to vacate from their land. They are stealing in broad daylight, and they have not been arrested,” remarked the concerned MP.
As this legal battle unfolds, it underscores the crucial role of regulatory bodies like the EACC in safeguarding public resources and ensuring transparency in land transactions. The outcome of this lawsuit will not only determine the rightful ownership of the disputed land but also serve as a litmus test for the country’s commitment to combating corruption and protecting public interests.