Governor Waititu in fresh trouble as Ksh.100M land grabbed from a widow surrendered back

Governor Waititu in fresh trouble as Ksh.100M land grabbed from a widow surrendered back

Kiambu Governor Ferdinand Waititu could face charges of abuse of office over the illegal acquisition and transfer of land worth Ksh.100 million belonging to Cecilia Mbugua, a widow, in January 2018.

The widow on Thursday received her two title deeds in Thika from the Commission on Administrative Justice, better known as the office of the Ombudsman.

On the 5th march this year, the commission received a complaint alleging that officials from the Kiambu County Government had irregularly transferred ownership of two plots in Thika municipality registered under Mrs. Mbugua to Ms. Esther Nyatu Wamuyu.

The properties are part of a block of five properties owned by Mbugua, all having a lease of 99 years starting in the year 2011.

The commissions investigators visited Kiambu and Thika land offices to interview officials and get documents relevant to the matter.

Kiambu Governor Ferdinand Waititu was also interviewed and he allegedly admitted requesting Mrs. Mbugua to surrender the two plots before he could facilitate approval of the development plans for the remaining three plots.

The widow had applied to develop the properties in 2013 and was granted a permit to carry on planned construction works. Later, it was cancelled on allegations that the land belonged to the Juakali Association. Mbugua challenged the decision in court, which ruled in her favour.

In late December 2017, Mbugua said she received a call from the governor’s office in which she was guaranteed the development approvals only for the land to be transferred to Esther Nyatu on the 2nd of January 2018 on purpoted consideration of sale.

Upon realizing the irregularity in the transfer of the plots, the governor agreed to surrender back the two plots to the widow.
“Consequently, we hereby direct the Kiambu County Government to expedite the long overdue approval of the development plans to enable Mrs. Mbugua to embark on her projects,” said CAJ Chairperson Florence Kajuju.

The office of the Ombudsman will forward the investigation report, their findings, together with all the evidence gathered to the relevant authorities for further action.

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