The Senate is on the spot over attempts to frustrate the adoption of its report on the compulsory acquisition by the government of Sh 3.3 billion Ruaraka land. The land is claimed to belong to businessman Francis Mburu.
The report by its committee on County Public Accounts and Investments (CPAIC) tabled in August this year, shows that the 13.7 acre parcel is public land. The committee chaired by Homa Bay Senator Moses Kajwang’ wants Interior Cabinet Secretary Dr Fred Matiang’i and Education Principal Secretary Belio Kipsang’ held responsible and if found guilty, prosecuted for the loss of Sh 1.5 billion.
The Sh 1.5 billion was released in January this year as down payment to Mr Mburu’s Whispering Palms Company for the land LR NO. 7879/4 where two schools- Ruaraka High School and Drive- In Primary School stand.
The National Lands Commission (NLC) chairman Muhamad Swazuri has also been blamed in the CPAIC’s report for failing to conduct due diligence on the land before prompting the expenditure of public funds.
A similar probe undertaken by the National Assembly committee on Land also said that the controversial land is public utility and the government should not have bought it. The Ethics and Anti- Corruption Commission (EACC) investigations also concluded that the land belongs to the public.
[Article source: The Daily Nation, by David Mwere]
