EACC to Recover KSh1.5 Billion, Pursue Criminal Charges in Ruaraka Land Compensation Case

The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has announced plans to recover KSh1.5 billion paid out in the controversial Ruaraka land compensation case and pursue criminal prosecution against public officials and other individuals found culpable in the transaction.

In a statement issued on Monday, July 6, the Commission welcomed the Court of Appeal’s judgment delivered on July 3, 2026, which upheld an earlier Environment and Land Court decision declaring the KSh1.5 billion compensation for land occupied by Ruaraka High School and Drive Inn Primary School unlawful, null and void.

According to the EACC, investigations established that the 13.5-acre parcel of land had already been surrendered to the Government free of charge as a mandatory condition for the approval of the subdivision of LR No. 7879/4. As a result, the land had become public property reserved for public utilities, leaving no legal basis for compensation.

The Commission said the Court of Appeal affirmed that the National Land Commission (NLC) had no authority to compulsorily acquire land that was already owned by the Government. The judges also upheld findings that the compensation constituted a loss of public funds.

Following the judgment, EACC said it will immediately begin recovering the KSh1.5 billion that was unlawfully paid to Afrison Export Import Limited and Huelands Limited through Whispering Palms Estate Limited under what it described as a fraudulent compensation scheme.

The anti-graft agency further revealed that investigations into the criminal liability of public officials and other individuals involved in processing and facilitating the payment have been completed. The inquiry file had initially been forwarded to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) on February 11, 2025, but prosecution was deferred pending the outcome of the appeal.

With the appeal now concluded, the Commission said it will resubmit the inquiry file to the DPP for further action, adding that anyone found responsible will be prosecuted in accordance with the law.

The EACC also urged the Ministry of Education and the National Land Commission to expedite the processing and issuance of title deeds for the land occupied by Ruaraka High School and Drive Inn Primary School to safeguard the schools’ continued occupation and use of the property.

The Commission reiterated its commitment to protecting public resources, ensuring accountability, and recovering public assets lost through corruption and fraudulent schemes.