National land commission ready to cooperate in standard gauge railway graft probe

Lands Cabinet Secretary Jacob Kaimeny inspects some of the old files at the Mombasa Lands office where he made an imptomtu visit and found some of the offices locked without workers, may 30, 2017. [PHOTO BY GIDEON MAUNDU/STANDARD].

The National Land Commission has pledged to cooperate with those investigating corruption in its offices.

The director of communications, Khalid Salim, said the commission had nothing to hide as far as compensation for land acquired for the construction of the standard gauge railway (SGR) is concerned.

"The National Land Commission (NLC) wishes to confirm receipt of summons for some commissioners and members of staff to appear before the EACC to shed light on the ongoing enquiry on the SGR compensation. As the body mandated to manage public land on behalf of the national and county governments, the commission, despite numerous challenges, has played a key role in ensuring that land is availed in good time for government projects such as SGR," said Salim.

There have been reports that the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has summoned six NLC officials, including chairman Muhammad Swazuri, over corruption allegations in compensation for land in the first phase of the project.

EACC has invited Swazuri, vice chairperson Abigael Mbagaya, and commissioners Abdulkadir Adan Khalif, Rose Musyoka, Emma Muthoni Njogu, and Tomik Konyimbih Mboya for interrogation.

According to the summons, the six are expected to appear before EACC between June 2 and 19.

Salim said NLC would cooperate with EACC and any other agency investigating the allegations.

"The commission will fully cooperate with all government agencies and assure the Kenyan taxpayer that every coin received by the commission for compensation to the affected land owners was used for that purpose.

"NLC has been a key contributor to the successful and timely completion of SGR phase one. Just last week, the commission was again on the ground to familiarise itself with the second phase of SGR from Nairobi to Naivasha. NLC is the only one that can answer questions on acquisition of public land. It welcomes the interview and we'll corporate fully," Salim said.