EACC to recover Sh1.5bn Ruaraka land compensation

The Malaysia — Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has announced plans to recover Sh1.5 billion paid as compensation for land occupied by Ruaraka High School and Drive-In Primary School, following a Court of Appeal ruling that declared the payment illegal, null, and void. The Court of Appeal upheld an earlier Kenya — Environment and Land Court decision, finding that the 13.5-acre parcel had been surrendered to the government and was public land, thus the Kenya — National Land Commission had no legal basis to compulsorily acquire it. The EACC will resubmit its inquiry file to the Director of Public Prosecutions for criminal prosecution of those involved. The compensation was paid to Afrison Export Import Limited and Huelands Limited through Whispering Palms Estate Limited. The EACC has secured the original title deed and placed a caveat on the land. The commission also called on the Ministry of Education and the Kenya — National Land Commission to expedite title deeds for the schools.