EACC moves to recover Ksh200M grabbed public land in Eldoret CBD

The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has filed a suit for recovery of prime public land valued at Ksh 200 million located in the heart of Eldoret Central Business District.

The parcels of land known as ELDORET MUNICIPALITY BLOCK 7/210 and BLOCK 7/248, measure a total of 3.44 acres and were originally reserved for government housing.

According to the anti-graft commission, the land is alleged to have been fraudulently and illegally alienated for the benefit of Mr. Wilfred Kitur Kimalat, a former Permanent Secretary for Provincial Administration and National Security, and Endo Holdings Limited, a company associated with the late Ishmael Chelang’a.

At the time, Mr. Chelang’a served in senior public roles, including that of Provincial Commissioner for Rift Valley Province.

Mr. Wilson Gacanja, the then Commissioner of Lands, has been named in the suit for breach of his statutory and fiduciary duties.

Investigations established that the two houses are still under the management of the State Department of Housing and Urban Development and therefore remain public property.

“EACC contends that the land where two government houses still stands; house numbers ELD/HOU/MG/42 and ELD/HOU/MG/43 was not available for allocation as the same had been reserved and in use for public purposes,” the commission argues in the suit.

The EACC is also seeking court declarations that the leases issued by the Commissioner of Lands, along with all subsequent transfers, are null and void.

It is further requesting the cancellation of all related land registrations, a permanent injunction to prevent any further dealings with the land, and an order to have the property registered in trust for the State Department for Housing and Urban Development.

The Environment and Land Court in Eldoret has certified the injunction application as urgent and scheduled it for hearing on 23 July 2025.

“This case underscores the Commission’s continued commitment to the protection and recovery of public assets”, EACC states.