By Dorothy Musyoka
The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has moved to recover prime public land worth Ksh. 200 million, located at Eldoret Central Business District.
The two parcels, identified as ELDORET MUNICIPALITY BLOCK 7/210 and BLOCK 7/248 and measuring a total of 3.44 acres, were originally set aside for government housing but were allegedly fraudulently acquired by private individuals.
According to court documents filed by the Commission, the land was illegally allocated for the benefit of Mr. Wilfred Kitur Kimalat, a former Permanent Secretary for Provincial Administration and National Security and Endo Holdings Limited, a firm linked to the late Ishmael Chelang’a, who at the time served as Provincial Commissioner for Rift Valley Province.
Also named in the suit is Mr. Wilson Gacanja, the then Commissioner of Lands, for his alleged breach of statutory and fiduciary duties in facilitating the illegal transactions.
“The land is alleged to have been fraudulently and illegally alienated for the benefit of Mr. Wilfred Kitur Kimalat, a former Permanent Secretary for Provincial Administration and National Security, and Endo Holdings Limited, a company associated with the late Ishmael Chelang’a. At the time, Mr. Chelang’a served in senior public roles, including that of Provincial Commissioner for Rift Valley Province. Mr. Wilson Gacanja, the then Commissioner of Lands, has been named in the suit for breach of his statutory and fiduciary duties,” stated the Commission.
EACC’s investigations confirmed that the land in question still hosts two government houses ELD/HOU/MG/42 and ELD/HOU/MG/43 which are currently under the management of the State Department of Housing and Urban Development.
The Commission argues that this affirms the land’s public status and renders any purported allocations and transfers invalid.
In its petition, EACC is seeking the following legal remedies:
- A declaration that the leases and subsequent transfers were null and void.
- Cancellation of all related land registrations.
- A permanent injunction against any further dealings with the land.
- An order to register the land in trust for the State Department of Housing and Urban Development.
The case reiterates EACC’s commitment to safeguard public resources and recovered of public asset.
Justice E.M. Washe of the Environment and Land Court in Eldoret has certified EACC’s application for an injunction as urgent, setting the matter for hearing on 23 July 2025.