The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has recovered a parcel of public land in Nakuru city centre estimated to be worth Sh100 million.
The 0.22-acre plot adjacent to Ardhi House along Moi Road was originally earmarked by the government for the construction of offices in 1984 but now has several businesses.
However, it was unlawfully appropriated by private individuals in collusion with Ministry of Lands officials in 1994.
According to EACC spokesperson, Eric Ngumbi, a two-year court battle culminated in the recovery of the parcel registered as Nakuru Municipality Block 5/251.
The court declared the registration of the land illegal.
The lawsuit the EACC filed in 2021 targeted the administrators of the late Nakuru businessman Abdalla Azubedi, former Commissioner of Lands Wilson Gachanja, private company Phelsey Enterprises, and Shadrack Koske Cherogoe.
The agency claimed that Mr Koske, through his company Sachekoko Investment, applied for the allocation of the parcel in 1994 as a commercial plot. Despite warnings from the government that the land was public and yet to be surveyed, the land was illegally allocated to Mr Koske's company in 1995.
The Commissioner of Lands then issued a fraudulent lease title to the firm in 1996, which was unlawfully listed under Abdalla Azubedi's name.
