The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has recovered parcels of land worth Ksh.110 million that land grabbers illegally obtained from a school in Nyahururu, Laikipia County.
Speaking about the seizure on Thursday, EACC Spokesperson Eric Ngumbi stated that the properties designated for the extension of the Nyahururu Bus Park were unlawfully given over to private developers, who began constructing a commercial structure at the site.
"The Commission, through its Central Regional Office in Nyeri, launched investigations upon receipt of a complaint from Mitumba traders in Nyahururu Town on 21st February, 2022," Ngumbi told the press.
"The traders reported that land reserved for extension of Nyahururu Bus Park, which the traders were using, had been irregularly, wrongfully, illegally and unlawfully allocated to private developers who had commenced construction of commercial building and were evicting the traders."
According to EACC investigations, the 2.5-acre block of property was hived off from Ngarenyiro Primary School in 1984 by officials from the defunct County Council of Nyandarua, who apparently worked with the then-Commissioner of Lands, Wilson Gachanja.
Gachanja allegedly assured the school that the parcel hived off would be used to expand the Bus Park and that if it were no longer needed, it would be returned to the institution.
"That contrary to the promise and representation given by the Commissioner of Lands, officials of the defunct County Council of Nyandarua working in cahoots with the then Commissioner of Lands, Wilson Gachanja, caused the portion reserved for expansion of Nyahururu Bus park to be subdivided in 12 portions and letters of allotment to be issued to private individuals in respect thereof," said Ngumbi.
