This archive report was first published on 10 July 2020.
Pressure is mounting on Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Noordin Haji to charge Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang'i with corruption over the Ruaraka land scandal.
The scandal, which dates back to 2018, saw taxpayers lose Ksh 1.5 billion in the purchase of a 13.7-acre piece of land for the construction of two schools.
According to sources, Matiang'i was Education CS at the time of the transaction, which is why his name is always mentioned in the scandal.
On July 9, 2020, blogger Dennis Itumbi questioned why no arrests had been made over the scandal despite the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) completing its investigations and submitting the file to the DPP's office.
Itumbi tweeted, 'Dear @ODPP_KE, Integrity House pale @EACCKenya completed investigations into Ruaraka and gave you a File. You told us before what happened in Ruaraka was theft. When do we see @FredMatiangi who reportedly masterminded the heist take plea? #NewsGang @citizentvkenya @pic.twitter.com/IFmYQ9VUL8.'
Responding to the pressure, Haji asked Kenyans to be patient with the Ruaraka scandal, stating that the law will take its course sooner rather than later.
Appearing on Citizen TV on Thursday night, Haji denied claims that his office fears handling the case, saying the matter is already before a court as a civil suit over ownership.
He stated that the decision to institute criminal charges will depend on the ruling, adding, 'We will decide on the best way forward. We have a lot behind the scenes before we make a decision to charge. Kenyans need to be patient.'
