The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has challenged the acquittal of three former Land registrars charged with irregularly allocating public land to individuals. Former Laikipia Senior Lands Registrar Lawrence Warachi and his colleagues Stephen Mburu and Justus Wang’ombe were acquitted by Nyeri Chief Magistrate Wendy Kagendo.
They faced charges of irregularly issuing title deeds for plots set aside by Mwichuiri Co-operative Society in Nyariginu for a dispensary, water point, polytechnic, school and tree nursery. In its appeal, EACC told Justice Hellen Ong’ondi the acquittal was erroneous since the magistrate failed to consider crucial evidence by the prosecution.
State Counsel Kennedy Magoma said the three abused their offices in execution of their duties 20 years ago. Magoma said the trial court failed to appreciate evidence of the Director of Lands Survey Wellington Olweny, who produced a letter indicating that the parcels of land had been set aside s public utilities, and that the cancellations were done using white out.
[Article source: The Standard, by Nderitu Gichure]
