Ruaraka land saga: EACC raids businessman Francis Mburus Karen home

Detectives from the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) have raided the home of businessman Francis Mburu – the man at the centre of the Ruaraka Land saga.

Investigators are said to have seized computers and documents they believe will aid in probing the Ksh.1.5 billion scam involving a 13-acre piece on which Ruaraka and Drive-Inn Primary schools sit.

Mr. Mburu, a well-connected tycoon, was allegedly paid Ksh.1.5 billion by the government for acquisition of the land yet it is claimed to be public land, simply implying that the government spent billions of taxpayers’ money to buy its own land.

Out of the Ksh.3.2 billion he was supposed to be paid for the 13-acre land, Ksh.1.5 billion has already been paid out to one of his companies, Afrison Export Import, and he had been demanding for the remaining Ksh.1.7 billion.

“I will be taking this matter to court to seek rent for the 34 years that the schools have been occupying my land, which is valued at Ksh.5.9 billion. I hope this committee will be fair to me and help me get my rent,” Mr Mburu recently told the Senate Public Accounts and Investments Committee.

“I have a court order showing that the government has been sitting on my land illegally. I have a court order allowing me to demolish illegal structures, including the two schools. But I have not evicted the schools because I care for the children. I hope you will be fair to me.”

Sources told Citizen TV that at least 30 top government officials, among them 10 Cabinet Secretaries, are being probed over the Ruaraka Land scandal.

Three permanent secretaries, three commissioners of the National Lands Commission and several business persons are also on the radar of the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission.

Investigative files dispatched to DPP Noordin Haji for his perusal and determination indicate that EACC has identified properties worth Ksh.450 million in Meru, Lamu and Nairobi acquired from proceeds of the Ruaraka land compensation money paid out in January this year.

The list of targeted properties also include three vehicles valued at Ksh.25 million and houses worth Ksh.50 million.