The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) announced on Saturday that it is conducting an investigation regarding a private developer accused of taking over a portion of Kibiku Forest in Ngong, Kajiado, in order to construct a large house.
It has been reported that the developer enclosed approximately three acres near the Kenya Institute of Buildings and Highway Technology, which led to concerns from the institution and other interested parties.
In response to the public outcry that followed the publication of an article about this incident by a local media outlet, the EACC stated that they are in the process of locating the developer and unraveling the details of the case. However, they did not disclose whether investigators were sent to the forest or if the developer had been summoned for questioning.
“The Commission is aware of these allegations and is looking into them as part of its duty to identify and recover misappropriated public property,” the EACC stated.
On Monday, October 9, in Kwale, the CEO of the EACC, Twalib Mbarak, reaffirmed the commission’s commitment to reclaiming both public and private land that has been unlawfully taken by dishonest individuals.
“We strongly urge the Kenya Wildlife Service, Kwale Governor, and the Government to remain vigilant, as those responsible for these land seizures are still at large,” he told the media.
In the past month, Kajiado residents held demonstrations to protest land encroachments in the Kibiku forest. According to the protesters, private developers collaborated with corrupt Kenya Forest Service (KFS) officers to appropriate land in the area.
In January of this year, the government declared the Kibiku land as off-limits, citing security concerns after tensions arose over the seizure of a 2,700-acre piece of valuable land.
“This land has become a security concern. We will not tolerate any disturbances that may escalate into violence. I issue a stern warning to the unscrupulous groups who are unlawfully entering the area to cease their activities or do so at their own risk. We will also consider it as trespassing,” cautioned Morang’a Morekwa, the Deputy County Commissioner of Kajiado West.
“The government is in control to ensure that justice prevails, and land cannot be divided at the whim of individuals without adhering to due process,” he added.
