Swazuri moves to bar his deputy from approving land transactions

Embattled National Land Commission (NLC) chairman Muhammad Swazuri has recalled documents signed by his deputy following his return from suspension over graft charges.

Prof Swazuri has issued a notice, through the Kenya Gazette, seeking his deputy Abigail Mukolwe’s signature to be deleted from land deals and replaced by his.

The NLC chairman and his deputy have fallen out with Prof Swazuri claiming that Ms Mukolwe facilitated his prosecution over a botched land deal in a bid to occupy his position.

Prof Swazuri was charged with fraud on August 13 over land allocation for the SGR line linking Mombasa to Nairobi, prompting his suspension that was lifted by a court on November 1.

“In Gazette Notice Nos 11370 and 11371 of 2018, delete the signatory's name printed as Abigael M Mukolwe and insert Muhammad A Swazuri,” said the notice.

The two notices contain deals for purchase of land for the rapid transport system along Thika Road and transfer of land to the government for construction of Githurai market.

Prof Swazuri on December 7 resumed signing land deals through the Kenya Gazette, days after DPP Noordin Haji’s attempt to keep him out of office failed.

The High Court on December 1, declined to bar Prof Swazuri from accessing his office until his case is heard and determined.

The NLC chair and others were charged with fraud that led to the loss of public funds amounting to Sh221.4 million.

The DPP said the officials had siphoned taxpayers’ money through phoney compensation claims for land used for the SGR.

In an affidavit filed in court, Prof Swazuri says Ms Mukolwe conspired to have him charged. He says his deputy has sustained “a cold and calculated war of attrition” against his office.

The NLC says once he was charged, Ms Mukolwe declared herself chairperson of the commission and assumed office on August 15.