NAIROBI, Kenya – The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has initiated investigations into an alleged land purchase scandal involving the Busia County Government.
The investigation follows a claim by Busia Senator Okiya Omtatah, who alleges that the county government set aside Ksh. 200 million to purchase land in Malaba Town, which, according to Omtatah, already belongs to the county.
In a letter addressed to the Busia County Government and forwarded to the EACC, Senator Omtatah called for an immediate halt to the purchase, stating that the land in question is already part of the County’s property.
The letter was acknowledged by EACC’s Western Regional Manager, who confirmed the commencement of investigations into the matter.
Senator Omtatah further claimed that the county government sought to buy the land to build the Amoni Market in Malaba, which is valued at Ksh. 20 million.
However, Omtatah raised concerns after discovering that the land had been subdivided into nine plots and new title deeds issued to individuals he suspects are proxies for county officials.
“This is a classic case of abuse of office, theft of public resources, and betrayal of public trust,” Omtatah said, describing the situation as “theft, not governance.”
He revealed that he has formally notified the EACC and is prepared to pursue legal action to recover the land, requesting that the court review and annul the fraudulent title deeds.
The land in question, according to Omtatah, was originally owned by John Ouma Ogalo, who sold it to the defunct Busia County Council (now Busia County Government) in 1990.
The land was intended for the construction of a public market, as outlined in the County Integrated Development Plans (CIDPs).
However, Omtatah revealed that the administrators of Ogalo’s estate, Joseph Ogallo and Elizabeth Omondi, have denied the sale and claimed that the county government unlawfully trespassed on the land.
Following a legal battle, the administrators sought eviction orders, and court records show that the county government failed to defend its position, resulting in a ruling in favor of the administrators.
Confident in the evidence he has gathered, including the transaction documents, Senator Omtatah vowed to continue pursuing the matter in court to quash the initial judgment and protect public interest.
