Economy

MPs fine tycoon half a million for Senate snub in Sh1.5bn land row

swazuri

National Land Commission chairman, Muhammad Swazuri. file photo | nmg

Senate has slapped a Sh500,000  fine on directors of two firms at the centre of a probe over irregular Sh1.5 billion land compensation for snubbing MPs summons.

The directors of Whispering Palms Estate Limited and Afrison Export and Import Limited—Francis Mburu, Mark Mungai Mburu and Justin Mungai Mburu— on Tuesday failed to appear before Senate Public Accounts Committee (PAC) to shed light on the Sh1.5 billion land compensation they received.

A petition has been forwarded to Parliament indicating that the National Lands Commission (NLC) paid Sh1.5 billion to directors who were not rightful owners of 13.8 acres acquired by the State for Sh3.3 billion in Ruaraka, Nairobi.

The compensation was linked to the construction of two schools, Ruaraka High School and Drive Inn Primary School on private land that was claimed by Whispering Palms Estate Limited  and Afrison Export and Import Limited.

“The directors have failed to honour invites and we are left with no option than to order their production before this committee by government law enforcement agents on April 17.”