EACC recovers property worth Sh3 billion in Kisumu

By Peter Ochieng

The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has recovered public property worth approximately Sh3 billion in Kisumu county, over the last few years.

Addressing traders at the Kibuye market in Kisumu on Wednesday, EACC Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Twalib Mbarak said they will stop at nothing until all grabbed land, not only in Kisumu but across the country, is recovered.

He said in Kisumu, the commission has so far recovered the Taifa Park land valued at Sh500 million, three properties owned by the judiciary at a market value of Sh940 million and 20 parcels of land belonging to the Kenya Railways, worth Sh2 billion.

Mbarak's Kisumu visit came on the backdrop of reports of grabbing of the Kibuye market.

The market, one of the biggest in East and Central Africa lies on an 18 acre piece of land, valued at Sh2 billion.

EACC boss confirmed that the land had indeed been grabbed by an individual who was claiming its ownership.

The suspect wanted over 5, 000 traders who depend on the market for livelihood evicted or have him get Sh7 billion compensation from the county government of Kisumu.

Mbarak said they are collaborating with the county government to ensure that the land is reverted back to the public. A case is already in court.

The matter was brought to EACC's attention by Kisumu governor Anyang' Nyong'o, early this year.

"People suffer under the challenge of corruption because of electing wrong learners. But I want to tell you people of Kisumu that you have the right governor," said the EACC boss.

He urged leaders and ordinary Kenyans to look at EACC as partners and enablers in the fight against corruption, so as to win the war against the vice.

On his part, governor Nyong'o thanked EACC for the intervention in a bid to have the market reverted back to the public.

"We want to build a very big market here," he added.

Alice Waga, Kibuye Market Management Committee (MCC) Secretary General said they would have suffered a great deal  economically, had they been evicted from the market.

"Some traders have been here for 50 years," she said. Kibuye market reportedly started in 1971.