EACC seeks to reclaim public land hosting Pastor Ng'ang'a, Bishop Wanjiru churches

The commission has filed several cases in Nairobi's Environment and Land Court against private entities and former Land Commissioners accused of engaging in questionable real estate transactions.

The EACC is leading the lawsuits, which seek to recover five parcels of land at the intersection of Haile Selassie Avenue and Uhuru Highway. 

These parcels, LR. Nos. 209/12492, 209/9640, 209/12361, 209/9641, and 209/12133, were originally intended for use by the Kenya Railways Corporation but are now owned by private individuals.

Court papers seen by Citizen.Digital list the plots and their owners as follows:

1. ELC Case No. E182/2023: LR. No 209/12492, currently owned by Arts 680 Limited.

2. ELC Case No. E151/2023: LR. No. 209/9640, owned by Neno Evangelism Center Registered Trustees.

3. ELC Case No. E216/2023: LR. No. 209/12361, belonging to James Maina Nganga.

4. ELC Case No. E079/2024: LR. No. 209/9641 and LR. No. 209/12133, both owned by Kobil Petroleum Limited (Rubis Energy). 

According to reports, the Kenya Railways Corporation surrendered LR. Nos. 209/12492, 209/9640, and 209/9641 in the 1950s and 1960s for public projects such as government building and road infrastructure. 

LR. No. 209/12361 was part of a road junction intended to improve traffic safety and visibility. 

On the other hand, the LR. No. 209/12133, which was originally a public road reserve, housed a public amenity—a Nairobi City Council-owned toilet.

The EACC's legal proceedings address complex issues. For example, in EACC v. Japheth Kimutai Chepkeres & 4 Others (ELC Case No. E182/2023), the commission seeks to reclaim LR. No. 209/12492 from Arts 680 Limited. 

This case, which is consolidated with Arts 680 Limited's lawsuit against Kenya Railways Corporation, involves compensation and profit claims that date back to 1994.

Similarly, in ELC Case No. E079/2024, EACC v Lima Limited & 5 Others, the commission is pursuing LR Nos. 209/9641 and 209/12133, claiming compensation and mesne profits totaling Kshs. 1.6 billion.