Nairobi – The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has recovered 12 illegally acquired public land parcels in Kakamega and Bungoma counties, estimated to be worth Sh320 million. The properties, including government houses, had been fraudulently transferred to private individuals through collusion with corrupt public officials.
EACC confirmed that ownership of all 12 plots has now been returned to their rightful public agencies.
The anti-corruption body made the announcement during a high-level security forum held at Mumias Cultural Centre in Kakamega. The meeting brought together officials from the Regional, County, and Sub-County Security Committees representing Kakamega, Busia, Bungoma, and Vihiga counties.
EACC Western Regional Manager Eric Ngumbi told participants that the Commission is actively pursuing 56 additional cases of grabbed public land. These include properties belonging to the State Department for Housing, the Judiciary, Kenya Civil Aviation Authority, Kenya Railways, and the National Treasury.
Ngumbi said some of the stolen parcels are being used as collateral to secure loans, putting both financial institutions and government assets at risk.
“We are seeing a worrying trend of land grabbers using forged title deeds to obtain bank loans. This must stop,” Ngumbi said. “We are urging local administrators and security chiefs to work with us in identifying and dismantling these networks.”
Ngumbi also pointed out that corruption and bribery at service delivery points remain a serious obstacle to governance, calling for greater vigilance and accountability from public officers.
Western Regional Commissioner Samson Macharia echoed the call for stronger inter-agency collaboration, telling security chiefs to support EACC’s investigations fully.
“You are responsible for service delivery in your areas. Fight corruption like your lives depend on it, because people’s lives do,” Macharia said.
The forum also involved County Commissioners, Police Commanders, and officers from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations. Discussions centered on national security and the role of corruption in weakening public institutions.
This latest land recovery follows an intensified nationwide crackdown by the EACC to reclaim public assets lost through fraudulent dealings. The Commission says all recovered properties will be registered under the appropriate government departments to prevent repeat theft.
The probe into the remaining 56 land cases in Western Kenya is ongoing.