EACC recovers Sh40m public land with three government houses in Kakamega

NAIROBI,Kenya Oct 27 – The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has recovered public land valued at Sh40 million, including three government houses, in Kakamega Town following a court-approved settlement that will see the property returned to the State.

The 1.05-acre parcel, located in Milimani next to Kakamega State Lodge, belongs to the State Department for Housing and Urban Development and had been unlawfully allocated to a private individual, according to the commission.

The recovery follows a consent adopted by Justice A. Nyukuri on September 22, 2026, under which Macdonald Lijoodi Makaka relinquished his rights, title and interest in the property.

The court also directed the Chief Land Registrar to rectify the land register by cancelling entries relating to the lease issued to Mr Makaka.

The settlement followed proceedings filed by EACC in Environment and Land Court Case No. E009 of 2024 against Mr Makaka and Wilson Gacanja, the then Commissioner of Lands, challenging the allocation and registration of the property.

EACC investigations established that the land, identified as Kakamega Municipality Block III/212, had been reserved and developed for government housing and was therefore not available for allocation to a private individual.

Despite the reservation, a letter of allotment was issued to Mr Makaka on December 10, 1992, followed by the registration of a lease in his favour on June 4, 1993.

However, the property continued to serve as government housing, with the three houses listed in the Government Building Register under the references KAKA/HOU/MG/33, KAKA/HOU/MG/34 and KAKA/HOU/T/HG/4.

The commission said it was pursuing the cancellation of the unlawfully acquired title and the transfer and registration of the property in the government’s name to restore its legal interest and safeguard it for continued public use.

In a statement, EACC Head of Corporate Affairs and Communication Stephen K. Karuga said the commission remained committed to recovering public assets acquired through corruption and other unlawful means.

“EACC remains committed to recovering public assets acquired through corruption or other unlawful means and restoring them for public benefit,” Mr Karuga said.

The commission also cautioned members of the public against purchasing land without establishing its ownership history and legal status.

“EACC advises members of the public to undertake thorough due diligence before acquiring land, including verifying the root of title and confirming that the property is not reserved for public use,” the statement said.