The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has successfully recovered public land valued at over Ksh 400 million in Nairobi’s Loresho area, marking a major victory in the fight against land grabbing.
The 4.9-acre parcel, officially known as NAIROBI BLOCK 90/229, is part of the Loresho Water Reservoir and had been illegally subdivided and allocated to private developers. In a landmark ruling delivered on May 19, 2025, Justice Ogutu Mboya of the Environment and Land Court declared the allocations unlawful, stating that the land had been reserved for the expansion of the public water reservoir and was not available for private ownership.
The court ruled that all titles issued following the illegal subdivisions and transfers were null and void, paving the way for the land to revert to public hands.
The case dates back to 2021, when EACC launched investigations following a complaint from the Loresho Residents Association. Residents had raised concerns after a contractor began preparing the site for a shopping mall development on what was known to be public utility land.
EACC’s investigations uncovered a complex scheme dating back to 1995. The front section of the reservoir had been subdivided into three plots (NAIROBI BLOCK 90/584–586) and allocated to Mitema Holdings Ltd, Maywood Ltd, and Nova Construction Ltd — all linked to Leonard Onyancha and his wife, Careen Onyancha. These plots were later sold to Shital Bhandari, who amalgamated them into a single parcel, NAIROBI BLOCK 90/599.
Simultaneously, the rear section was subdivided into five plots (NAIROBI BLOCK 90/592–596) and allocated to individuals including former Deputy Mayor Ali Mwanzi, Julia Ojiambo, Rosemary Irungu, Hannah Wanjiku, and Fatma Abdalla. These plots were eventually grabbed by Fredrick Kimemia and transferred to his associate, Samuel Gathogo Mwangi.
In June 2022, EACC secured a court injunction barring the parties from dealing with the land while the case was underway. During the trial, the Commission presented evidence from 10 witnesses, including officials from the Nairobi County Government, the Director of Surveys, the Department of Physical Planning, and the Nairobi Water and Sewerage Company.
With the court now upholding the EACC’s position, the reclaimed land will be handed back to the government for public use, reaffirming its intended role in supporting Nairobi’s water infrastructure.
The ruling is being hailed as a significant precedent in safeguarding public land from illegal acquisition and a reminder of the critical role of civic vigilance and institutional oversight.
Written By Rodney Mbua
