EACC, DPP: Properties worth billions recovered as war on corruption intensifies

Two agencies tasked with fighting corruption, the Ethics and Anti-corruption Commission (EACC) and Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), have revealed that they are in the process of reclaiming assets and monies obtained through corruption.

Speaking on Tuesday during an event to return grabbed land belonging to University of Nairobi, DPP Noordin Haji and EACC head Twalib Mbarak said that all grabbed public land and money will be reclaimed and perpetrators charged.

The UoN land, whose value is estimated at Ksh.2 billion was given back to the university and a title deed also issued with promises to protect public land from grabbers.

Speaking at Kilimani where the land stands, Mr. Haji reiterated that all public land and assets that have been grabbed are in the process of being reclaimed and they will ensure they are used as intended.

“Tutafuatilia na tutahakikisha kwamba itatumiwa ipasavyo” (We will follow up and ensure that they are utilised properly.) he said.

The land, which was repossessed from a private company, was at the center of controversy and a subject of a court dispute for years.

The move to return the land comes a day after EACC repossessed the 4.97 acres property from Aberdare’s Engineering Contractors Limited.

Mr. Haji also said the endless court battles will be a thing of the past as they will ensure that they hasten investigations to ensure that those found culpable are not only taken to court but prosecuted.

“It will not be enough that we are in court and we let those who got proceeds of crime to continue enjoying them,” he assured.

The DPP also revealed that some banks whose accounts were used to stash money stolen from the National Youth Service (NYS) are volunteering to return the money.

“We shall not talk and take people to court, we shall ensure that what belongs to mwananchi is given back to them,” said the DPP.

Mr. Mbarak, while handing over the title deed to the institution, mentioned that other public assets have been successfully recovered; Ukunda Airstrip, Uhuru Gardens in Mombasa and the Mayor’s House in Lavington, Nairobi.

Twalib, while urging Kenyans to have faith in the war on corruption, also revealed that there are many pending cases in court that focus on reclaiming public assets amounting to almost Ksh.12 billion.

“If successfully completed, the commission will hand over those assets to the respective institutions,” he said.