Kenya Civil Aviation Authority loses more land

The Auditor General has unearthed a fresh land scam at the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) in which at least four prime parcels of land, measuring over 50 acres in Nairobi and Mombasa, have been transferred to private individuals.

Edward Ouko in his latest audit report tabled in Parliament reveals that a 13-acre parcel of land in Mtito Andei-Ngai Ndeithya Settlement Scheme belonging to the authority has been registered in the name of an individual.

Also registered to an individual is a parcel of land of unknown measurement on which the Bamburi staff housing unit in Mombasa is built.

Another piece measuring about 0.77 hectares at the central stores in Nairobi has also been transferred to an individual. In addition, 37 acres belonging to the East African School of Aviation has also been divided and taken by various individuals.

Though the report does name the individual beneficiaries, it has revealed that the institution is the hunting ground for unscrupulous land deals.

The report submitted in Parliament on June 11 says ownership documents for various assets belonging to the authority including 31 housing units in Nyali, 13 units in Bamburi, 87 acres at the East African School of Aviation in Nairobi and another 132 acres at the central transmitting station along Mombasa road were not available for audit verification.

"Although, according to information available, the documents are under process at the Ministry of Lands, no reason has however been provided for the inordinate delay in having the documents issued," the report reads in part.

KCAA has been losing land to private developers in a scam where land is first transferred to private parties before it is sold off to third parties.

The Public Investments Committee recommended in one of its reports that the National Land Commission (NLC) revokes the title for Mtito Andei-Ngai Ndethya, Bamburi staff housing units and East African School of Aviation. Parliament wanted the titles re-issued to KCAA and be registered under the authority by April 2015. However, the auditor notes that no action has been taken.

Parliament had also recommended that NLC investigates the circumstances under which another parcel, LR No 209/14372 moved from public to private ownership with a view to restitution.

The auditor general has also raised issue with debts paid to the institution. According to the report, Sh6 million in receivables - amount due from individuals and companies - were not supported despite the same being outstanding for many years.

In the circumstances, the report notes, it was not possible to confirm the correctness and accuracy of current assets balance of Sh2.3 billion as at June 2014.