The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has initiated legal proceedings to recover public land valued at KSh200 million allegedly grabbed in Eldoret’s Central Business District.
The land in question, comprising two parcels, Eldoret Municipality Block 7/210 and Block 7/248, covers 3.44 acres and was originally set aside for government housing.
In the suit filed at the Environment and Land Court in Eldoret, EACC claims the land was fraudulently and illegally acquired by Mr. Wilfred Kitur Kimalat, a former Permanent Secretary for Provincial Administration and National Security, and Endo Holdings Limited, a company linked to the late Ishmael Chelang’a, a former Provincial Commissioner for Rift Valley Province.
Also named in the suit is Mr. Wilson Gacanja, the former Commissioner of Lands, who is accused of breaching statutory and fiduciary duties during the allocation of the land.
EACC investigations revealed that the land still hosts two government houses, ELD/HOU/MG/42 and ELD/HOU/MG/43, which remain under the control of the State Department for Housing and Urban Development, reaffirming the land’s public status.
“The land was not available for allocation as it had been reserved and remained in active use for public purposes,” the Commission stated.
The Commission is seeking declarations from the court that the leases issued by the Commissioner of Lands, along with all subsequent transfers, are null and void. EACC also wants the court to cancel all land registrations, issue a permanent injunction against any further dealings with the parcels, and register the property in trust for the State Department.
The court has certified the injunction application as urgent and scheduled a hearing for July 23, 2025.
EACC emphasized that the case represents its ongoing dedication to safeguarding public assets and addressing historical injustices related to illegal land allocations.
Written By Rodney Mbua
