The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has successfully recovered two government properties in Kenya's Coast region worth a combined Sh100 million. These properties were irregularly allocated to private parties, according to recent court rulings.

Recovered Properties

  • Government House in Kizingo, Mombasa Island: Valued at Sh55 million, this property is registered as L.R. No. Mombasa Municipality/Block XXVI/933. It covers 0.253 acres and is designated for senior civil servants under the Ministry of Lands, Public Works, Housing and Urban Development. The property had been fraudulently leased for 99 years in 1998 to a former Senior Resident Magistrate, a lease the Environment and Land Court declared null and void.
  • Beach Access Road Reserve in Diani, Kwale County: This 1.14-acre strip of land, valued at Sh45 million, serves as a public access corridor from Ukunda-Diani Road to the Indian Ocean. It was unlawfully leased for 99 years in 1994 to a private company. The court canceled all related land records and restored the land to public ownership.

Legal and Financial Outcomes

The Environment and Land Courts in Mombasa and Kwale counties found senior Ministry of Lands officials culpable for misfeasance in public office, acting beyond their legal authority and in bad faith. The courts ordered the cancellation of the fraudulent leases and imposed damages totaling Sh20 million to compensate the government for trespass and interference with public access.

EACC CEO Abdi Mohamud emphasized that these rulings set a precedent, warning public officers against facilitating illegal alienation of public assets. The officials involved were also ordered to cover the costs of the recovery suits.

Ongoing Commitment to Public Asset Protection

Over the past three years, EACC has reclaimed public assets worth more than Sh1.16 billion across the Coast region, including land belonging to various public institutions such as Kenya Airports Authority and Kenya Railways Corporation.

"EACC remains dedicated to safeguarding public property and ensuring that resources benefit all Kenyans," Mr. Mohamud stated.