EACC Sues Kulei Firm Over 10 Land Parcels Worth Billions
The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission
(EACC) is seeking to reclaim ten parcels of land worth Sh2.4 billion
that were taken from Mombasa’s Moi International Airport.
Part
of the airport runway, a United Nations support base, a Kenyan military base,
and its watchtower are among the parcels.
In
a court filing, the anti-graft body is also seeking to recover Sh984 million in
compensation for land acquired by the National Land Commission (NLC)
for the construction of the standard gauge railway and the Dongo-Kundu/Kipevu
road.
According
to the EACC, the NLC paid the millions to the East African Gas Company Limited,
the current registered owner of all airport land parcels.
In
addition, the anti-graft body has sued former Kenya Airports Authority (KAA)
managing director Peter Lagat, East African Gas Ltd, Frankway Link Agencies,
Jeewi ltd, and Peninsula Agencies.
A former lands registrar at Ardhi House disowns signature on Sh944 million city property.
Former
Commissioner of Lands Wilson Gachanja, former NLC CEO Tom Aziz Chavangi, and
former NLC valuation director Salome Munubi have also been charged.
“The
National Land Commission officials are sued because of facilitating illegal
compensation of parcels of the land following compulsory acquisition for
construction of the Nairobi – Mombasa Standard Gauge Railway and the Dongo –
Kundu Kipevu Road Project, despite the fact that the parcels were public land
set aside for Moi International Airport,” EACC said in a statement.
The
land was part of the 1,183-acre Port Reitz Aerodrome set aside in 1961. On
March 17, 1972, the government acquired additional land and gazetted the
parcel, but 12 plots were fraudulently excised and sold to private individuals.
According
to the EACC, Mr Gachanja facilitated the illegal alienation of the land in
1996.
Aside
from the monetary compensation, EACC seeks a permanent injunction prohibiting
the East African Gas Company Ltd from dealing with the land or surrendering it
to the government.