The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has successfully recovered two government-owned properties in the Coast region valued at Sh100 million. The move follows rulings by the Environment and Land Court that declared the properties had been illegally acquired and allocated to private entities.

Properties Recovered

  • Government House in Kizingo, Mombasa: Valued at Sh55 million, this property is registered under L.R. No. Mombasa Municipality/Block XXVI/933 and reserved for senior civil servants. Investigations revealed it was fraudulently leased for 99 years in 1998 to a former Senior Resident Magistrate. The court nullified the lease and certificate, cancelling the illegal transaction.
  • Beach Access Road Reserve in Diani, Kwale: This 1.14-acre strip of land, valued at Sh45 million and registered as L.R. No. Kwale/Diani Beach Block/1072, provides public access from Ukunda-Diani Road to the Indian Ocean. It was unlawfully leased to a private company for 99 years in 1994. The court invalidated the lease and restored the land to public ownership.

Legal and Financial Outcomes

The court found senior Ministry of Lands officials responsible for facilitating the illegal leases guilty of misfeasance, acting beyond their legal authority and in bad faith. As a result, damages totaling Sh20 million were awarded to compensate the government for trespass and interference with public access. The defendants are also liable for the legal costs of the recovery suits.

EACC CEO Abdi Mohamud described the rulings as a significant milestone in the commission's ongoing efforts to protect public assets from unlawful alienation. He highlighted that holding public officers personally accountable sets a precedent and serves as a deterrent against future corrupt practices.

Broader Impact

Over the past three years, EACC has recovered public assets worth more than Sh1.16 billion in the Coast region, including land belonging to key public institutions such as Kenya Airports Authority and Kenya Railways Corporation. The commission remains committed to safeguarding public property for the benefit of all Kenyans.