Detectives from DCI's land fraud investigations have charged ten people with fraud in a ksh 1 billion shillings land sale in Nairobi, which the DCI's Land Fraud Investigations Unit has been looking into.
The ten suspects include Jacob Cartwright Owino, Registrar of Titles at the Ministry of Lands headquarters Ardhi House, and Andrew Aseri Kirungu, a Land Administration official, who have been accused of abuse of authority.
"In the botched land deal, the two with other individuals, namely Diana Njeri Muiyuro, James Mbote Gicheha, Joseph Njoroge Kimani, Joseph Gichohi Kinyanjui, Gladys Wambui Mwangi, Mohamed Jimale Abdille, Charles Mwangi Waithaka and George Ndungu Mumbi conspired with intent to defraud Realty Brokers Limited the prime parcel of land by falsely pretending that a letter of allotment Ref. No. 93103 was a genuine Letter of Allotment issued by the National Land Commission to facilitate the registration of the parcel of land in the name of Mwadi Women Entrepreneurs Limited." said DCI
They added, "Other charges preferred against the individuals include making a false document and obtaining registration by pretenses."
The suspects appeared before Chief Magistrate Hon. Lucas Onyina, pleaded not guilty to the charges, and were released on Ksh 100,000 cash bail.
Land officer Andrew Aseri Kirungu failed to appear before the court, citing illness.
Nine defendants appeared before Chief Magistrate Hon. Lucas Onyina, pleaded not guilty to the allegations, and were freed on Ksh 100,000 cash bail.
"The DCI's Land Fraud Investigation Unit, a pillar in the battle against fraudulent activities, is critical to safeguarding the integrity of land ownership and avoiding fraudulent schemes that threaten property rights, economic stability, and public trust in land-related transactions."
