ADC asked to provide information to speed up investigations on land fraud

A parastatal has been asked to provide information to help unearth irregular allocation and fraudulent registration of land at the Ol Jorai settlement scheme in Gilgil.

The investigators want the management of the Agricultural Development Corporation (ADC) to provide information on the settlement scheme that has led to hundreds of disputes that implicate administrators in Gilgil and Naivasha sub-counties.

In a letter, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) wants the management to provide the original map of the settlement scheme and the list of squatters starting from 1989.

It also wants a report indicating if there was any cancellation of ADC allotment letters.

“The DCI is investigating cases of conspiracy to defraud contrary to section 317 of the penal code and obtaining land registration through false pretences contrary to section 320 of the penal code respectively,” reads the letter.

The investigators opened an inquiry on land fraud in the area last year.

Several cases have been filed at the DCI's office in Nakuru, with several local administrators implicated.

Last week, the DCI arrested a chief in Ol Jorai, Gilgil sub-county, and his wife. They were linked to several land fraud cases.

An investigator said more suspects were being probed.

County National Land Commission (NLC) Coordinator Frank Kibelekenya said it was regrettable that private developers had grabbed dozens of parcels of land in the county.

“It is worrying that individuals encroach on several parcels of land that belong to the Government and later claim to be owners,” said Mr Kibelekenya.

He explained that more than 150 cases had been reported to the NLC offices and that most of the suspected grabbers were local leaders.

Lack of title deeds to public utilities had contributed to the encroachment, the official said.

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