EACC Recovers Ksh1.2B Kwale Island From Private Developers
The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has recovered a Ksh1.2 billion island in Kwale County that had been seized by private developers.
In a statement by the Commission on Tuesday, the private developers, while working in cohorts with scrupulous government officials, took over the ownership of Chale Island, which is gazetted as a marine reserve and national monument.
The over 30-acre island was initially divided among ghost occupants in a dubious squatter settlement scheme, according to the EACC.
“The grabbed land was subdivided into 49 parcels and allocated to ghost squatters, who later sold it to private developers.
“In her judgment in the recovery suit delivered on October 2, 2023, Lady Justice Addreya Dena of the Kwale Environment and Land Court nullified all the transactions leading to the illegal land transfers and ordered the Kwale District Land Registrar to cancel all illegal entries in the Register,” read the statement in part.
ALSO READ:
- Why Ruto Missed Utamaduni Day Celebrations
- Cabinet Greenlights Transport Accident Investigation Bureau
- Recent Key Palestinian-Israeli Conflicts
Given the presence of a shrine on the land, EACC Chief Executive Officer Twalib Mbarak indicated that the island had been returned to the Kwale community.
Additionally, Kenya Wildlife Services (KWS) will restore the island as a marine reserve.
“Mbarak warned against re-grabbing of the recovered Island in light of the prevailing challenge where corrupt public officials collude with new grabbers to fraudulently re-allocate public assets recovered by EACC,” read the statement in part.
During the recuperation, area governor Fatuma Achani and Senator Issa Boy were also present.
In recent years, the coast region has been plagued by numerous land-grabbing cases as private developers seek to construct hotels in the area, which is a popular tourism destination due to its sandy beaches and ocean.
For instance, developers on Chale Island constructed a resort with a 75-bed capacity and charged its visitors Ksh40,000 per night.
The recovery of the island also follows the recent recovery of the Ksh305 million Kisite Island from three corporations.
EACC Recovers Ksh1.2B Kwale Island From Private Developers
