By Dorothy Musyoka
The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has reclaimed government housing land in Kitale valued at Ksh 65 million.
The recovered land, Kitale Municipality Block 11/18, measuring 1.732 acres, was irregularly allocated to Charles Lugano, now deceased.
According to the commission’s finding, the land, which housed Government House No. KITA/HOU/HG/2, had been reserved for public use as government housing since 1928.
In a judgment delivered on 4th July 2025, Justice Dr. IUR Fredrick Nyagaka of the Environment and Land Court ruled that the land had never been available for allocation to private individuals.
The judge affirmed that it had been alienated for a public purpose and was still in use as government housing at the time of its illegal acquisition.
He declared the title null and void and ordered the reversion of the property to the Government.
EACC investigations confirmed that the property had been illegally allocated despite being listed on the official Government Building Register, and was formerly the official residence of the Chief Magistrate of Kitale Law Courts.
“In its judgment, the Court declared that the allocation and registration of the land in favor of Charles Lugano were null and void, effectively making it incapable of conferring any legal interest, right, or estate. Consequently, the Court ordered the cancellation of the title and directed that the property revert to the Government,” stated the EACC.
Additionally, the court awarded the Commission Ksh 3 million in damages for the illegal demolition, Ksh 252,000 in lost rental income, and full legal costs.
All recovered amounts are to be deposited into the Consolidated Fund, strengthening public accountability.