Ethics and Anti Corruption Commission (EACC) has moved to court to recover six prime parcels of land worth Sh400 million illegally acquired from the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) in Kericho Town.
The land, originally under government ownership, was fraudulently subdivided and transferred to private developers in collusion with corrupt land officials.
EACC South Rift Regional Manager Ignatius Wekesa said they are committed to reversing the illegal transactions and restoring the land to its rightful owner.
The grabbed parcel, Land No. 631/169, initially measured 2.5 acres before being subdivided into six smaller plots and transferred to private individuals.
The parcels’ illegal owners include Sammy Kipkogei Chepkwony, Wilson K. Soy, Golf View Court Limited, Benjamin Kipruto Maiywa, John Odhiambo Achola Migunda, and Fredrick Kibyegon Sawe.
Chepkwony has since transferred his parcel to four new individuals: Alfred Kiplangat Terer, Annette Chepngeno Sang, Zablon Kipkemoi Bett, and Geoffrey Kiprono Koech.
Investigations revealed that the land was already government property at the time of allocation, meaning it was unavailable for private acquisition.
The fraudulent transactions have prompted the Commission to file a suit at the Kericho Environment and Land Court, seeking to nullify all illegal entries in the Kericho Land Register and reissue the title deed under the Government’s name.
On July 31, 2024, the court issued orders prohibiting the current illegal owners from conducting any dealings on the disputed land until the case is heard and determined.
“The Commission is asking the court to nullify all transactions that led to the illegal transfer of the land and to cancel all entries in the land register that facilitated this fraud,” Wekesa said while addressing members of the press on site.
He also issued a stern warning to other land grabbers in the region, urging them to voluntarily return any grabbed public land before the EACC moves in at greater cost to them.
