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Court freezes senior land official Felix Nyakundi's assets in graft probe

Integrity Centre in Nairobi, the headquarters of the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC). (Photo: File)

By Hanifa Adan | 12 Mar 2024

Felix Nyakundi is being probed on allegations of corruptly acquiring 106 plots of land across the country, 17 vehicles, and Sh4.6 million.

The High Court has frozen 106 plots of land across the country, 17 vehicles, and bank accounts belonging to a senior official in the Land ministry, who is accused of acquiring them corruptly.

Judge Esther Maina has allowed the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) to block the properties and accounts containing Sh4.6 million that belong to Felix Nyakundi for six months.

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"Pending the conclusion of the investigations, there is an urgent need to preserve the said assets by prohibiting the transfer, disposal, or any other dealings with the said properties, "the EACC said on Tuesday through its lawyer.

The properties and money were seized during a raid at Nyakundi's home, during which land title deeds, cars, and bank account details were found.

The order came after concerns reached the court about the possibility that the officer would transfer the properties and sell them at a loss, jeopardising the recovery process.

The EACC argued that Nyakundi had amassed wealth disproportionate to his legitimate source of income.

"We intend to analyse the documents seized in the course of the search, and we have reasonable apprehension that, in view of the above discovery and ongoing investigations, the said properties are at risk of being transferred, sold, encumbered, or wasted, thereby jeopardising the recovery," said lawyer Pius Nyoike, for the EACC.

He added, "It is necessary to prohibit any dealings with the above-mentioned assets while the commission is concluding its investigation to avoid a situation where the investigation and the intended discovery or restitution may be complicated or rendered nugatory altogether."

Some of the properties targeted are in Kisii, Kilifi, Nairobi, Kajiado, and Makueni counties.