Ministers named in ADC land probe

Kenyan ministers and several sitting MPs are among prominent people allocated land earmarked for squatters.

Others irregularly allocated the Agricultural Development Corporation (ADC) land include a dozen former MPs, two judges, former permanent secretaries and high ranking military and police officers.

A list tabled in Parliament on Wednesday shows that 423 politicians, top civil servants, parastatal chiefs and security personnel were allocated land at the expense of hundreds of squatters.

The eight ADC farms — Nyota, Tall Trees, Sirikwa, Ol’ Jorrai, Moi Ndabi, Jabali, Zea and Chepchoina — are in the fertile Rift Valley Province.

The irregular allocations are the subject of an investigation by the Public Investments Committee, the State corporations watchdog.

The list shows that politicians and other well-connected individuals got between 10 and 300 acres more than the five acres sanctioned by the government.

According to the list, the African Inland Church, where former president Daniel Moi worships, got 40 acres at Ol’ Jorrai.

Heritage minister William ole Ntimama was allocated 34 acres at the Moi Ndabi settlement scheme while Major-General N.L. Leshan is listed as having been allocated 233 acres in the same scheme.

Former minister Kipkalya Kones is also mentioned.

There is also a Mr Simon Mbugua Thungu who, in Tuesday’s hearings was said by Vihiga MP Yusuf Chanzu to have acquired four parcels of land measuring 200 acres.

The tabling of the list was prompted by Molo MP Joseph Kiuna (PNU) who demanded that the beneficiaries be revealed.

Similar names

The Nation cannot expressly say those listed are prominent people because many in the Kalenjin community share similar names.

Also, even under parliamentary privilege, it is difficult to confirm that the names on the list are those of prominent people.

This is the dilemma that ADC boss William Kirwa faced when he appeared before the committee this week.

After being quizzed by chairman Mithika Linturi, he refused to confirm whether a G.K. Saitoti on the list was Internal Security minister George Saitoti.

The ADC boss told the committee to “bite the bullet” and name the people who acquired the land.

“These are your friends; you know them, speak to them and let them surrender the excess portions and pay for the five acres,” he said.

The committee now awaits a list of the land title reference numbers before it can positively identify the beneficiaries.

Some of the names on the list similar to those of prominent people include William Ruto and William arap Ruto who own a total of 20 acres.

Other names identical to those of prominent people are Isaac Ruto (Chepalungu MP), W.K.K. Kimalat (former Internal Security PS), Margaret Chemengich (former PS), Ishmael Chelang’a (former Eastern PC), Anyara Emukule (judge), Benjamin Kipkurui Langat (Ainamoi MP), Kipng’eno Ng’eny (a former minister), Reuben Chesire (former MP) and Henry T. ole Ndiema (former principal immigration officer).

Other names are John Serut, Jesse Maizs, Francis Sang’, Japheth Ekidor, Nathaniel Tum, Major Magut, Wilson Litole (similar to the former DC who is the sitting Sigor MP), Wilson Chepkwony (former State House comptroller) and David Mwole Kimaiyo (a senior police officer.)

The list has former MPs tagged “honourable” before the names. They are J.N. Kimkung’ (former Mt Elgon MP), David Sudi and Francis Kaino (former Marakwet West MPs), Vincent K Too, Japheth Ekidor (former Turkana MP) and G.G. Mokku and Mr Fred Cheserek (former Marakwet East MP).

Sitting Marakwet West MP Boaz Kipchumba Kaino is also listed.

Reports by Alphonce Shiundu, Caroline Wafula and Njeri Rugene