EACC Reveals How Recovered 31 Acres Public Land in Kwale Was Grabbed
In Kwale, 31 acres of stolen public land have been reclaimed by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission.
Private developers, according to EACC CEO Twalib Mbarak, have seized control of the land on the picturesque Chale Island. It has a value of Sh1.2 billion.
“The Island is gazetted as a marine reserve and national monument of historical and cultural interest,” Mbarak stated.
The site was separated into 49 portions and given to ghost squatters, who then sold it to private developers, according to the EACC chairman who spoke on Monday at the Kaya Shrines.
In order to help the Kwale people regain its cultural identity, the Kaya shrines on Chale Island have been repaired.
The Kenya Wildlife Service will also continue to protect Chale Island as a marine national reserve.
After Lady Justice Addreya Dena declared the transactions that led to the acquisition of the land invalid, the land was reclaimed.
“In her judgment in the recovery suit delivered on October 2, 2023, Lady Justice Addreya Dena of the Kwale Environment and Land Court nullified all the transactions leading to the illegal land transfers and ordered the Kwale District Land Registrar to cancel all illegal entries in the Register,” Mbarak stated.
He also issued a warning against recapturing the reclaimed Island, which he claimed was done with the assistance of dishonest governmental authorities.
Mbarak stated that there have been instances of corrupt public officials working along with fresh grabbers to wrongfully redistribute confiscated public property.
Such, he replied, would not be considered.
Just two weeks ago, the anti-graft organization announced the recovery of five acres of prime government land with 20 homes estimated to be worth Sh345 million. The Chale Island recovery follows that announcement.
The land, which belonged to the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development and was located in Nakuru Town Centre, was allegedly taken by persons using proxies and private corporations.
The commission is seeking other public property that has been illegally taken in the county, primarily agricultural land, road reserves, land set aside for the expansion of state agencies, and buildings for civil employees employed by the government.
