EACC Recovers KSh40M Public Land Hosting Three Houses

The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has recovered public land valued at approximately KSh40 million in Kakamega Town, following a court-approved consent that restores government ownership of a 1.05-acre parcel hosting three government houses.

The property, located next to Kakamega State Lodge, belongs to the State Department for Housing and Urban Development and has continued to serve as government housing despite its allocation to a private individual.

In a statement dated Tuesday, October 27, 2026, EACC said the recovery followed a consent adopted by Justice A. Nyukuri on September 22, 2026, after the parties agreed to return the property to the government.

Under the consent, Mr Makanda Liidi Makaka relinquished his right, title and interest in the property, while the court directed the Chief Land Registrar to rectify the land register by cancelling the entries relating to its release to him.

The case, filed by EACC in the Environment and Land Court under case number E009 of 2024, involved Makaka and Wilson Gacanja, the former Commissioner of Lands.

EACC said its investigations established that the land had been reserved and developed for government housing and was therefore unavailable for allocation to a private individual.

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

Despite the allocation, the property continued to serve as government housing, with three houses identified under the Government Building Register as KAKA/HOU/MG/33, KAKA/HOU/MG/34 and KAKA/HOU/HG/4.

The commission said it is pursuing the cancellation of the unlawfully acquired title and the transfer and registration of the property in the government's name. The process is intended to restore the government's legal interest in the land and safeguard it for continued public use.

EACC also urged members of the public to undertake due diligence before acquiring land, including verifying the root of title and confirming whether the property is reserved for public use.

The commission reiterated its commitment to recovering public assets acquired through corruption or other unlawful means and restoring them for the benefit of the public.