By Lauryne Akoth
The EACC on Tuesday 12th March secured a court order from the High Court Freezing multi-billion assets belonging to a senior official working in the Ministry of Lands.
Lady Justice Esther Maina gave the go-ahead to the EACC to retain 106 prime lands and commercial buildings in different counties, 17 high-end vehicles, and a total of Kshs 4,260,000. The senior Ministry of Lands official has been identified as Felix Mecha Nyakundi.
As per the EACC’s court filings through their advocate Pius Wanyoike, the commission contends that the accumulation of wealth occurred through fraudulent methods.
In her judgment, Lady Justice Esther Maina concurred with the EACC, stating that without the issuance of preservation orders, there is a risk of the properties being transferred, sold, charged, or otherwise depleted, thereby endangering the intended forfeiture to the Government.
The directives will remain effective for six months giving room for the conclusion of the ongoing investigations into the alleged unexplained wealth, abuse of office, and misappropriation of public funds against the Thika Lands Official, formerly stationed in Baringo County.