The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has launched a sweeping investigation targeting more than 40 land registrars across Kenya, accused of participating in a series of fraudulent land deals.
The implicated officials, stationed in various counties such as Nairobi, Eldoret, Nakuru, Thika, and Kwale, are being investigated for their roles in illegal land transactions.
Among them are Suzzane Vusha (Nairobi), Sheila Mwai (Eldoret), Erick Nyamu (Nakuru), Monocah Bor (Bomet), Francis Kariuki (Eldoret), and Felix Nyakundi (Thika), all of whom are under investigation for the illegal double allocation of land, evasion of stamp duty taxes, and appropriation of private land for personal gain.
One of the most high-profile figures under investigation is Samuel Langat, an officer at the Survey of Kenya, who is suspected of being deeply involved in the corruption scandal.
Langat has been linked to irregular land allocations and is said to have amassed unexplained wealth through his dealings.
His involvement has positioned him as a central player in the land fraud ring, highlighting the systemic nature of corruption within the Ministry of Lands.
The fraudulent activities being investigated have led to widespread land disputes in key regions, notably Nairobi, Nakuru, and Eldoret.
These disputes have affected both private individuals and institutions, many of whom have been left without legal recourse after discovering that their land had been fraudulently sold or allocated to multiple parties.
The EACC’s investigation aims to recover misappropriated lands and hold the corrupt officials accountable for their actions.
One of the most striking cases is that of Felix Nyakundi, the Thika Land Registrar, who has been found to possess 106 properties and 17 high-end vehicles, all of which were recently frozen by the High Court.
Nyakundi is being investigated for amassing wealth disproportionate to his known income sources, with the EACC suspecting him of misappropriating public funds.
The commission obtained a court order to preserve his assets, including land parcels in Nairobi, Kisii, Kilifi, and Kajiado counties, to prevent them from being sold or transferred while investigations continue.
These actions by the EACC are part of a broader effort to combat the deeply entrenched culture of land fraud in Kenya.
Land grabbing, illegal allocations, and manipulation of registration records have been rampant for years, facilitated by corrupt officials in the Ministry of Lands.
To address this, the EACC is conducting lifestyle audits on land officials across the country, hoping to expose and dismantle the cartels responsible for the widespread corruption.
This investigation highlights the scale of corruption within Kenya’s land management system, where even high-ranking officials have used their positions to exploit the land registry for personal gain.
The EACC is working to recover the stolen land and restore trust in the country’s land administration.
The ongoing efforts demonstrate the critical need for reform in the land sector, both to prevent future fraud and to protect the rights of Kenyans who have been victimized by corrupt practices.
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