Former Tigania East MP Josphat Gichuge Mwirabua, popularly known as Kabeabea, has been arrested over an alleged land fraud scheme in which unsuspecting buyers are said to have lost more than Ksh56 million.
In a statement on Tuesday, June 9, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) said the former lawmaker and ex-Chairman of the Anti-Counterfeit Authority was apprehended by officers from the Land Fraud Investigations Unit (LFIU) after investigations linked him to multiple fraudulent land transactions.
The DCI said the suspect allegedly defrauded investors through land deals conducted under Diamond Property Merchants (DPM) Ltd.
“Detectives from the DCI Headquarters’ Land Fraud Investigations Unit (LFIU) have apprehended Josphat Gichuge Mwirabua, aka Kabeabea, a former Member of Parliament for Tigania East and ex-Chairman of the Anti-Counterfeit Authority (ACA), for duping unsuspecting land buyers out of over Ksh56 million,” the statement read.
According to the agency, the first case dates back to 2016 when several investors purchased plots in Kajiado through the company.
“The scandal first came to light when a complainant revealed that in 2016, he and several other investors purchased plots measuring 50 by 100 feet from Diamond Property Merchants (DPM) Ltd.
“Each investor entered into individual agreements with DPM Ltd and made their payments directly to the company’s bank accounts. In total, these innocent purchasers deposited approximately Ksh16,476,950 into accounts belonging to the suspect,” the statement added.
Investigators said the buyers later discovered that the land they had purchased had been transferred to other individuals and subdivided without their knowledge.
“However, they soon discovered that the parcel of land in Kajiado where their plots were supposedly located had been transferred to other individuals without their knowledge, and subdivision was conducted without their consent. This shocking revelation prompted the victims to report the case for investigation,” the statement further read.
Following investigations, the case file was forwarded to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), which approved criminal charges against the suspect.
“Following a thorough investigation, the findings were compiled and sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP). Upon review, the DPP agreed with the investigators’ recommendations to charge the suspect with the offence of Obtaining Money by False Pretences,” the statement noted.
The DCI also revealed details of a second case involving Kabeabea, in which investors allegedly lost more than Ksh40 million after being promised land parcels complete with greenhouse facilities.
