Probe Karen land scam, Ngilu tells ethics team

Lands Cabinet Secretary Charity Ngilu has asked the anti-corruption watchdog to launch investigations into the Karen land scandal.

The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission chairman Mumo Matemu confirmed on Friday that they received a letter from Mrs Ngilu two days ago.

“We have already started investigation and we can tell the public that we shall name and shame whoever is involved in the scam once the truth comes out,” Mr Matemu said.

He was addressing the media at Voyager Beach Hotel in Mombasa during a consultative workshop between EACC and Members of the Parliamentary Committee on Delegated Legislation.

He said the investigations would zero in on issues of ethics, abuse of office by public servants or any other crime involving those alleged to have grabbed the 144-acre land in the Karen suburb of Nairobi. The land is valued at about Sh8 billion.

Mr Matemu said the investigations would be impartial and objective.

The Coalition for Reforms and Democracy also wrote to the agency, urging it to investigate public officials and politicians involved in the scandal.

ENFORCING COURT ORDERS

Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale read Cord’s statement to the media on Thursday in Nairobi. He said the behaviour of the police in enforcing court orders issued over the land was suspect.

In the statement, Cord legislators asked Deputy President William Ruto, Inspector-General of Police David Kimaiyo, Director of Criminal Investigations Ndegwa Muhoro, Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero and Senator Mike Sonko to help expose those behind the irregular land allocation.

The Parliamentary Committee has summoned Mrs Ngilu and the National Lands Commission Chairman Muhammad Swazuri to Nairobi on Thursday next week to shed light on the issue.
Through the committee, it was also alleged that 40 MPs had been implicated in the scandal.

Meanwhile, Mrs Ngilu Friday dismissed a statement by Cord leaders linking her to the crime, terming it diversionary.

“It is clear that this was a political statement of people burdened by illegal land transactions that they have carried out in the past. We are aware of dubious transactions in Machakos, Lamu, Kwale and other areas, which lies squarely on their shoulders,” Mrs Ngilu told a press conference at her Adhi House office.

She said the Cord leaders should have provided evidence to investigative agencies instead of issuing a press statement.