The Court of Appeal has confirmed that the Ruaraka land in Nairobi is public property. This ruling has put fresh pressure on former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i and other officials linked to a Ksh 1.5 billion payment made for the same land, which was meant for two public schools.
The case goes back several years. The government paid out the money to buy the land, but reports later showed it already belonged to the public.
A parliamentary committee had earlier recommended that Matiang’i and others face prosecution for the loss. The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission named him a person of interest, saying he ignored quality assurance reports before approving the compensation.
Matiang’i has always denied any wrongdoing.
Kenya’s taxpayers bore the cost of this deal. The money came from public funds at a time when many citizens struggle with basic needs. Questions remain about how such a large payment was made without proper checks.
The Court of Appeal decision has now made the legal path clearer for possible recovery efforts.
Public reaction has been strong. On social media, many Kenyans are asking why the EACC has not moved faster to recover the funds.
Some point out that the commission seems quicker to handle small cases than big ones involving senior figures. Others worry that political connections could slow down or block any real action.
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