Matiang’i Entangled in Ksh 1.5B Ruaraka Land Scandal: New Troubles Emerge
Dennis Itumbi, a digital strategist, privately prosecuted former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i for the Ksh1.5 billion Ruaraka land scandal on Monday, June 12.
Itumbi argued before the Nairobi Magistrate Court that Matiang’i was involved in the National Land Commission’s (NLC) irregular land acquisition.
Itumbi sought additional information from various government agencies, including the Ministry of Education and the National Land Commission, to compile compelling evidence for his case against Matiang’i through his attorneys.
The land in question is a 50-acre parcel in Ruaraka, Nairobi, which was initially claimed to be owned by two companies and subsequently sold to the government.
In 2020, the NLC paid Ksh1.5 billion for the land. And transferred it to the Ministry of Education for the construction of two schools. Drive-In Primary School and Ruaraka High School.
Later, political figures asserted that the land belonged to the government, and the State purchased it controversially.
In the lawsuit, Itumbi alleged that Matiang’i, who was Education CS at the time, was aware of the NLC’s improper land acquisition procedures.
Itumbi wants Matiang’i charged with abuse of office. conspiracy to commit a crime. And forgery in violation of the National Land Act and Public Officer Ethics Laws.
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Itumbi desires the tracing and return of the funds, as well as the accountability of the previous Cabinet Secretary.
Matiang’i has not commented on the case or responded to the lawsuit filed in Nairobi. Itumbi had not yet responded to GossipA2Z’s questions regarding the intrigues surrounding the case.
Chief Magistrate Douglas Ogoti denied Itumbi’s request. To have Matiang’i brought before the court to answer questions concerning the land transaction.
“The Anti-Corruption Court has denied Denis Itumbi’s request to privately prosecute former Interior Cabinet Secretary Dr. Fred Matiang’i on allegations of corruption. In November 2020, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions announced that a court had ruled an application did not meet constitutional and legal requirements.
According to the ODPP. Chief Magistrate Douglas Ogoti ruled that Itumbi had failed to disclose his source of evidence. And had accused DPP of refusing to prosecute the former CS and EACC of not having completed its investigations.
Ogoti added that the ODPP’s return of the investigation file to the EACC for additional inquiries. Did not constitute a refusal to prosecute.
In the meantime, Matiang’i is back in the spotlight after the ODPP dropped charges. Of conspiracy to commit a felony and publication of false information against him in March 2023.
The former secretary of state was accused of raising a false alarm by claiming that police raided his home on February 15.
Matiang’i Entangled in Ksh 1.5B Ruaraka Land Scandal: New Troubles Emerge
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