By Suleiman Mbatiah
The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has filed a lawsuit to halt the unauthorized auction of public land owned by the Agricultural Training Centre (ATC) in Nakuru County.
Hashi Energy Limited, a private company, claims ownership of the land, which is valued at over Shs10 billion.
The EACC is currently investigating more than 50 private individuals suspected of illegally seizing 165 acres of public land.
Dalali Auctioneers recently placed an advertisement in local newspapers, announcing an auction scheduled for today, to be conducted by Legacy Auctioneering Services, based in Nakuru.
However, the EACC has warned that the auction is illegal and cautioned potential buyers about the risk of fraud.
During an investigative tour of the land, EACC South Rift Regional Manager Ignatius Wekesa revealed that the property, located in a prime area and valued at approximately KShs80 million per acre, had been unlawfully acquired and used as collateral for bank loans by the alleged land grabbers.
“The Commission is actively investigating this matter with the goal of recovering the land and returning it to the public,” Wekesa stated.
He urged the public to avoid participating in the auction, emphasizing that public land cannot be legally sold by private entities.
The EACC has written to the Ministry of Lands, requesting that any transactions involving the land be restricted until their investigation is complete.
This action is part of the EACC South Rift Regional Office’s broader efforts to combat corruption in Nakuru and surrounding counties.
The ongoing investigations also cover alleged corruption in the procurement of sports equipment by senior Nakuru County officials, embezzlement of funds at Maasai Mara University, and procurement fraud at Njoro NG-CDF.
Wekesa praised Nakuru residents and local NGOs for their cooperation in reporting these and other corrupt activities.
As the EACC continues its crackdown on land grabbing, Wekesa urged those involved to voluntarily surrender the properties to avoid costly litigation, which is likely to result in the forfeiture of the land.
He added that the Commission remains committed to protecting public resources and returning them to their rightful owners—the people of Kenya.
