The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has recovered a public land parcel valued at Ksh51 million in Mombasa, following an Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) settlement on September 21, 2026. The property, known as MN/I/2411, spans 0.514 acres in Nyali and belongs to the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA). The recovery concludes 17 years of legal proceedings initiated by the EACC in 2009, which traced the land’s irregular allocation to former Kuresoi Constituency MP Zakayo Kipkemboi Cheruiyot. The EACC confirmed the settlement resolved civil litigation under ELC Case No. 177 of 2009, involving Cheruiyot, Omar Tahir, and Sammy Mwaita.
Investigations by the EACC revealed that the land was illegally allocated in 2000 by then Commissioner of Lands Sammy Mwaita to Cheruiyot, who later transferred it to Omar Tahir. The commission stated that Tahir, the registered owner, agreed to surrender the property under the ADR framework. This resolution ends a protracted legal battle that began with the EACC’s 2009 case, which alleged misuse of public assets. The EACC emphasized that the land now reverts to public use as originally intended, underscoring its commitment to recovering misappropriated resources.
The EACC praised the ADR settlement as a swift alternative to prolonged litigation, which could have incurred significant costs for taxpayers. Commission spokespersons highlighted the case as a precedent for individuals holding illegally acquired public property to voluntarily return assets. “We urge all stakeholders to cooperate in restoring public trust and ensuring transparency,” a statement read. The recovery of the land, valued at Ksh51 million, underscores the commission’s ongoing efforts to combat corruption and safeguard public resources.
The case has drawn attention to historical land allocation practices and the role of oversight bodies in holding officials accountable. By resolving the dispute through ADR, the EACC avoided further judicial delays while reinforcing its mandate to protect public assets. The successful recovery also serves as a reminder of the long-term consequences of corruption, with the land now poised to serve its intended public purpose after nearly two decades of legal contention.