Ex National Land Commission (NLC) chairman Muhammad Swazuri was on Wednesday arrested at his home over corruption allegations.
DPP Noordin Haji has recommended that Swazuri and 23 other be charged with Conspiracy to commit an economic crime, abuse of office and financial misconduct.
In a statement, the DPP says that their is enough evidence showing that he (Swazuri) and the 23 others irregularly compensated land which was acquired by the commission in the construction of the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR).
DPP Press Statement on Investigation at the National Land Commission ( Land reference MN/VI/3801) pic.twitter.com/kglhqjBDpW
— Office of The Director Of Public Prosecutions (@ODPP_KE) April 17, 2019
The accused persons will also be charged with fraudulent acquisition, dealing with suspect property and money laundering.
Also being prosecuted are; NLC Commissioner Emma Njogu, Deputy Director Valuation and taxation Joash Oindo, Director Valuation and Taxation Salome Munubi, Director Finance Francis Mugo and advocate Catherine Chege.
Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) in 2013 tasked the commission with acquiring land for the construction of the Mombasa Southern Bypass and the Kipevu New Highway Container Terminal Link.
The piece of land in question, land of reference number MN/VI/380, belonging to M/s Tornado Carriers Ltd was identified and valued at Ksh34,501,110.
The offer was rejected, prompting Swazuri to undertake another valuation. In 2017, the same piece of land was valued at Sh109,769,363.
KeNHA made the payments to M/s Tornado Carriers Ltd and C.W Chege and Co. Advocates a sum of Sh55,269,363 and Sh54,500,000 respectively.
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