The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has taken legal action to halt the illegal auction of public land belonging to the Agricultural Training Centre (ATC), which has been wrongfully acquired by a private company, Hashi Energy Limited.
This came to light after an auction advert by Dalali Auctioneers was published in local dailies in August 2024. During an investigation tour of the land in question, EACC South Rift Regional Manager, Ignatius Wekesa, revealed that the land is part of a 165-acre property owned by ATC, valued at over KES 10 billion.
The EACC is actively investigating the situation with the goal of reclaiming the land for the public, as it was unlawfully acquired by more than 50 private individuals. Each acre of this land is currently valued at Ksh 80 million, and some of those who grabbed the land have even used it as collateral for bank loans.
The Commission has issued a warning to the public against participating in the auction, noting that they risk being deceived, as no individual has legitimate ownership of the land. They also cautioned that anyone purchasing the land could lose it to the government once the ongoing investigations and court proceedings are concluded.
In response to the situation, the EACC has written to the Ministry of Lands, requesting that restrictions be placed on the land to prevent any further dealings until investigations are finalized. The Commission has also urged individuals who have falsely claimed ownership of public land in the Nakuru region to voluntarily surrender it, warning that failure to do so will result in legal action.
