KIE to be probed over irregular sale of land

Kenya: A State corporation is on the spotlight over the controversial sale of its prime land in one of Nairobi's leafy suburbs. The management of Kenya Industrial Estate (KIE) has been faulted for the sale of the land in Karen, which resulted into loss of millions of shillings due undervaluation.

National Assembly Public Investment Committee has summoned a former Managing Director and the corporation's tender committee to appear before it today to shed more light on the fraudulent sale of the public property.

The committee seeks to find out if the public procurement law was adhered to

The MPs have accused KIE's management of selling the land at a throw away price, given the current selling price of one hectare of land in Karen, estimated at Sh100million.

The Standard established that the committee will investigate circumstances surrounding the sale of the land, if the entire process met the requisite requirements in the Public Procurement law, input of the Government valuer, concurrence by the State inspectorate and the Ministry of Finance.

"We want to know the key players involved in the whole exercise, the role of the tender committee and if the board approved the same," disclosed an MP, who sought anonymity.

He stressed that the committee has the mandate to establish whether the sale was an inside job. The committee chaired by Adan Keynan will also probe if government valuer played a role in the process.

Chris Wamalwa (Kiminini), who is a member of the committee said about 70 per cent of public property is sold fraudulently. He said the committee will investigate the sale of these properties and if need be, call for their repossession.

The corporation's MD Julius Mokongi is scheduled to appear before the committee tomorrow to shed light on the deal.