EACC to probe 20 lands officials in Kiambu

At least 20 senior county officials in the Lands and Physical Planning Department are being investigated by the anti-graft agency for land grabbing.

In a letter addressed to County Secretary Martin Njogu, Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) Deputy Director for Investigations Humphrey Mahiva ordered the officials to appear at the commission's offices to record statements.

The officials were ordered to appear between today and Friday. Part of the land in question is registered as Ruiru/Kiu Block 3/1372.

Among those summoned are the director of valuation Gorge Ruhara, the director of geoinformatics Zaverio Kinyua, and structural engineers Chris Njogu and Joseph Ndichu.

Others are Christine Kamau, Charles Mugambi, Judith Nyamongo, Salome Ngige, Rehema Myabuga, Maina Onguso Stephen Njiraini, Lucy Muiruri, Agnes Muthanje, Dennis Abuya, Teresia Ngigi, Pancras Mburu, Joseph Wachira and David Ng'ang'a.

Record statements

Mr Mahiva's letter has also asked county authorities to facilitate the officers to record statements at EACC's Integrity Centre offices in Nairobi.

"The officers should come with copies of minutes of committee meetings they attended among other relevant documents," the letter reads.

A source at the county headquarters who sought anonymity said panic has gripped senior officials.

The investigation wants to unravel how land meant for public utilities fell into private hands.

"The investigation by EACC has caught (top officials) off-guard,” said the source.

He revealed that some officials who had illegally allocated themselves land have returned it to the county government.

In July, Faith Njeri Harrison, who resigned as the county chief finance officer, revealed how several parcels of land meant for public use ended up being grabbed by individuals. 

Ms Njeri said that some houses in Kamenu area near Blue Post Hotel in Thika had been built on grabbed county land.

She said top officials in the Kiambu administration stole the land and sold it to private developers who put up the houses.

“The finance department is the custodian of public property. It is is sad that even quarries belonging to the county have been transferred to private developers, who are now benefiting," said Njeri.