Corruption watchdog takes back 24 council houses

By Cyrus Ombati

The Kenya Anti-Corruption Commission (KACC) has repossessed 24 houses, including one owned by PS in the Prime Minister’s Office.

The houses valued at Sh869 million in Woodley estate, Nairobi, were yesterday reverted to City Council of Nairobi, which will now manage them and collect rent from the tenants.

The houses include one block of eight flats that have three bedrooms and 23 bungalows with a one-acre compound.

KACC Director PLO Lumumba said some of the houses were surrendered back by individuals who had obtained them at a fee of Sh1.1 million 19 years ago.

Prof Lumumba said other houses were repossessed after the commission won cases in courts that they had launched over the same.

"Some people are beginning to see the light on this issue of corruption and we urge all those who believe they irregularly acquired their property to surrender them," he said.

Grabbed property

Among the people whose houses were repossessed include PS Mohamed Isahakia, former MP Noah arap Too, Joseph Mutuota, Dickson Njiru Kianda, James Reriani Gachagua, Lucy Wanjohi, Joseph Otunga, Elizabeth Cheroitich Mibey and Rahab Wanjiru Gichuhi. Others are Ruth Maina, Johnson Ondiek, Mary Ongele, Stephen Kirima Kogi and Tegemeo Investments.

Town Clerk Philip Kisia and Mayor George Aladwa said no one has powers to allocate public property to individuals.

The Town Clerk regretted that some council officials had even allocated road reserves to individuals in the city but promised to ensure they are recovered.

Aladwa said yesterday’s event will serve as a warning to those whose minds are bent on reaping where they did not sow.

"We urge the commission to continue pursuing more similar cases and we pledge our support to win this war. We have to revert stolen property to the council," said Aladwa.

Woodley estate is one of the prime areas in the city that has been at the centre of court cases over grabbed property. KACC is currently embroiled in a tussle with, among others, a minister and former minister over the houses they acquired illegally.