The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has recovered a 2.7-acre public school playground in Kikuyu, Kiambu County, following a court ruling that found the land had been irregularly and fraudulently registered under a private entity.
In a press statement dated Monday, October 26, 2026, the commission said the Environment and Land Court in Thika ruled on October 5 that the registration of the property, identified as Title No. KARAI/KARAI/350, under the Presbyterian Church of East Africa (PCEA) Ruguthi Women’s Guild was irregular and fraudulent.
The land serves as a playing field for pupils from Kanyiha, Lusigetti and Njumbi Primary Schools, benefiting more than 1,300 learners from the surrounding communities.
According to the EACC, the playground was originally set aside for public use in 1957 by the former County Council of Kiambu. Its recovery safeguards land reserved for the schools and restores its intended public purpose.
The legal case was filed by the Law Society of Kenya (LSK), with the EACC participating as an interested party. The commission supported the case by providing evidence to demonstrate that the property had been reserved for public use rather than private ownership.
The court’s decision marks a significant step in protecting public land designated for educational and recreational activities, particularly in communities where school facilities serve several institutions.
The playground provides space for pupils to participate in physical education, sports and other outdoor activities. Its availability is especially important for the three primary schools, which collectively serve more than 1,300 learners.
The recovery also highlights the role of legal action in addressing disputes involving public land and ensuring that property reserved for community services remains accessible to its intended beneficiaries.
The EACC has a mandate to investigate and pursue the recovery of public assets where evidence indicates that they have been unlawfully acquired or allocated. In this case, its participation in the proceedings helped establish the public purpose for which the land had been set aside.
The commission’s statement was signed by Stephen K. Karuga, Head of Corporate Affairs and Communication at the EACC.
The ruling provides a legal basis for safeguarding the playground for the three schools and the wider community, following decades since the land was first designated for public use.
The recovery of the property is expected to preserve an important community facility and ensure that the land continues serving the educational and recreational needs of pupils at Kanyiha, Lusigetti and Njumbi Primary Schools.
