Editor's Review

The six properties had been grabbed from the State Department of Housing. 

The Ethics and Corruption Anti-Commission (EACC) has recovered six government properties including the official residence of the Kakamega East Deputy County Commissioner.

In a statement on Sunday, January 28, EACC said the six properties which are cumulatively valued at Sh 85,000,000 had been grabbed by private individuals in collusion with land officials.

“The Commission has since secured court orders nullifying the titles held by the private individuals namely Michael Omusula Wensetze, Fridah Asamba, John Katumanga, John Katumanga, Jacqueline Musalia, and Eunice Mugala. The new title deeds will be handed over to the Government,” read the statement in part.

According to EACC land parcel No. Kakamega Municipality/ BLOCK III/242 was recovered following a Court of Appeal decision that set aside a High Court judgment by Justice Said Juma Chitembwe in favor of the illegal owner.

File image of EACC Spokesperson Eric Ngumbi. 

Other parcels recovered by EACC include Kakamega Municipality Block III/239- KAKA/HOU/MG 48, Kakamega Municipality Block III/276- KAKA/HOU/HG 40, Kakamega Municipality Block III/261- KAKA/HOU/MG 02, Kakamega Municipality 3/262- KAKA/HOU/MG47, and Kakamega Town /Block/3/64- KAKA/HOU/HG22.

Speaking after recovering the six prime properties, EACC Spokesperson Eric Ngumbi said the commission is pursuing twenty other properties in Kakamega with eight cases already in court while twelve others are under investigation.

“There is no private person who can move into a government office allocate themselves land and give themselves a title deed. In every case where grabbing has taken place, there is a land official involved. That is why EACC is no longer recovering and proceeding to another asset, as we recover properties we will also now go for the public officials involved because that amounts to abuse of office,” Ngumbi stated.