EACC gives ultimatum on disputed land documents

Harold Odhiambo 01st Sep 2019 00:00:00 GMT +0300

**The aftermath of the demolition of structures on Kenya Railway’s land in Kisumu on August 12, 2019**. [File, Standard]

The Ethics and Anti-corruption Commission (EACC) has launched investigations into alleged irregular allocation of parcels of land belonging to Kenya Railways in Kisumu.

In a notice issued on Thursday, EACC wants the owners of the land in question to avail relevant documents within seven days.

The owners of land are required to submit ownership and transfer documents and consent from the Lands Control Board.

The anti-graft agency CEO Twalib Mbarak said they are investigating allocation of about 33 parcels of land and their sub-division that took place afterwards.

“In the exercise of the powers conferred under Section 27 of the Anti-Corruption and Economic Crimes Act, 2003, the commission requires owners and occupiers of the property to… submit documents,” read the notice in part. The development is likely to open a protracted legal battle between Kenya Railways and tenants who claim to have genuine leases.

Yesterday, a detective at the Western Region office told Sunday Standard on condition of anonymity that some of the people under investigation are brokers who took advantage of the lack of activity on the parcels and fraudulently sold them.

Recently, Kenya Railways evicted several tenants from its premises despite claims of having valid leases.

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Former Gem MP Jakoyo Midiwo, Kisumu Senator Fred Outa, Eala MP Oburu Oginga and a Nairobi businessman William Osewe are among those who lost businesses worth millions of shillings after Kenya Railways demolished business premises and recovered houses and land.

This came barely a month after the Lwang’ni Beach eateries, Akamba Lane shops and other temporary establishments within the central business district were demolished.

The Kenya Railways Managing Director Phillip Mainga told Sunday Standard that all leases on the property have been cancelled. The corporation owns vast swathes of land on the lake front.

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