NAIROBI, Kenya, May 8 — The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has issued a stern warning to land grabbers, declaring that illegally acquired public property will eventually be reclaimed regardless of how long it has remained under private occupation.
Speaking during a tree-growing exercise at a recovered section of Karura Forest on Friday, EACC Chairperson David Oginde said individuals who illegally acquire public land should not assume prolonged occupation guarantees ownership.
“So it doesn’t matter how long you may stay in the property, eventually you may not enjoy it,” Oginde said during the event where more than 1,000 trees were planted on the reclaimed land.
“Many people who grab these kinds of properties say they are for their children and children’s children. But indeed the children of this particular individual are not going to benefit from it because it was illegally acquired,” he added.
The event, organized jointly by the EACC and the Kenya Forest Service, marked the restoration of approximately 18 acres of Karura Forest land that had been illegally allocated to private developers before being recovered through a court process.
EACC Chief Executive Officer Mohamud Abdi said the recovery demonstrates that corruption-related land fraud cases can still be successfully pursued decades later.
“We are here today to witness an asset which was recovered in 2025, but which had been acquired by some individuals almost 30 years ago,” he said.
“That tells you that you may steal public assets today, but eventually they will be recovered.”
Abdi revealed that the commission is also investigating complaints involving illegal acquisition of public land in other protected areas including Ngong Forest and Oloolua Forest.
“We have seen many private developers and even influential people engaged in conspiracies involving public land,” he said.
“But eventually, we believe all public assets should go back to the public to serve the intended purpose.”
The recovered parcel was returned to the government following a landmark ruling by the Environment and Land Court in October 2025 which nullified the title to Nairobi Block 91/386, land valued at approximately Sh2.8 billion.
The court found that the 7.11-hectare parcel, which formed part of Karura Forest and land reserved for the former Kenya Technical Teachers College, had been unlawfully allocated and irregularly transferred through a series of transactions dating back to the late 1980s and 1990s.
The property had initially been linked to the late powerful former Cabinet Minister John Joseph Kamotho before eventually being transferred to Gigiri Court Limited.
Justice David Mwangi ruled that the allocation violated both the Forest Act and the Government Lands Act and ordered cancellation of the title, effectively restoring the land to public ownership.
Nairobi’s green spaces
Oginde described Friday’s exercise as both symbolic and practical, saying the restoration of the land would help preserve Nairobi’s shrinking green spaces.
“Karura has a history. People fought for it to be restored. If that had not been done, perhaps we would not be here,” he said.
“There are many people who come here for walking, relaxing and enjoying nature. Nairobi is becoming concrete throughout, and we must ensure such facilities are not taken by people who want to convert them into something else.”
Nairobi Regional Forest Conservator Joyce Ntuku said the recovered land forms part of the larger Karura ecosystem managed by KFS.
She said the exercise aligned with the government’s national target of growing 15 billion trees.
“Today we have planted 1,000 seedlings, but we are not just talking about planting. We are talking about growing,” Ntuku said.
“Our main activity is to ensure these trees survive and accrue the benefits they are supposed to.”
Professor Karanja Njoroge from the Friends of Karura Forest Community Forest Association praised the EACC for helping safeguard the forest from encroachment.
“You recovered the first lot about 10 years ago, and now you are coming to recover for us the last one,” he said.
“Karura will be safe. Under the hands of the Kenya Forest Service and the CFA, we are going to protect this ecosystem for generations to come.”
Environmental conservation advocate Hillary Kibiwott, who holds a Guinness World Record for the highest number of trees planted individually within 24 hours, urged young people to actively participate in climate action efforts.
“Climate change affects all of us,” Kibiwott said.
“So let us all come together and ensure that the trees we are growing serve the purpose of reversing climate change and restoring degraded land.”