Nairobi, Kenya- The fight against corruption in Kenya is set to take a dramatic turn next month as the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) prepares to auction properties worth Sh505 million linked to associates of former Migori Governor Okoth Obado.
The move, one of the most high-profile graft recoveries in recent years, comes after suspects surrendered prime assets under a plea bargain deal designed to fast-track justice.
A Historic Recovery Effort
The auction will target ten properties spread across Nairobi, Kisumu, and Migori counties. According to EACC, the assets were voluntarily surrendered by businessman Jared Kwaga, Joram Otieno, Caroline Obwa, and Yuda Otago Ojuki, who were accused of helping siphon public funds between 2013 and 2017.
Court filings reveal that some of the money trail ran through county suppliers, with fictitious contracts and fraudulent procurement schemes allegedly used to channel funds into personal accounts.
Kwaga and Otieno, alongside Obado and 13 others, are facing charges ranging from money laundering to the unlawful acquisition of public property at the Milimani Anti-Corruption Court.
By turning to alternative dispute resolution, EACC sidestepped years of drawn-out litigation, opting instead for direct asset recovery. The Commission emphasized that the proceeds from the sale will be ploughed back into public services, including healthcare and education.
Properties on the Auction Block
The October auction features a mix of residential, commercial, and rental developments. Among the standout listings are:
- Jared Kwaga’s forfeitures: Six prime assets, including maisonettes and apartments in Greenspan Estate, Nairobi, two residential blocks in Migori’s Suna East/Wasweta area, Sunrise Centre along the Migori–Kisii road, and a townhouse in Nairobi’s Loresho Ridge Estate.
- Joram Otieno’s surrender: A developed plot in Migori’s Suna East/Wasweta, consisting of one-bedroom rental units strategically located along the Migori–Isebania highway.
- Caroline Obwa’s assets: A three-bedroom apartment in Nairobi’s Riara area and a four-storey block of flats in Kisumu’s Lolwe Estate. Notably, Obwa is also fighting a separate recovery case involving Sh318 million.
- Yuda Otago Ojuki’s property: A commercial development in Rongo’s Kamagambo area, featuring residential units and rental spaces.
The Commission has outlined strict terms for interested buyers: a refundable Sh500,000 deposit for participation, 10 percent of the purchase price payable on the auction day, and the balance within 60 days. Reserve prices will guide the sales.
What This Means for Kenya’s Anti-Graft Fight
EACC’s decision to pursue auctions through plea bargains underscores a growing shift toward efficiency in the country’s war on corruption.
Instead of waiting years for contested trials to conclude, the Commission is increasingly embracing alternative dispute resolution as a faster path to asset recovery.
“The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission, in exercise of its powers of sale as granted by various Courts, shall sell the undermentioned properties by public auction,” the agency stated in its notice.
If successful, the October auctions will mark a milestone in Kenya’s anti-graft efforts—not only reclaiming stolen wealth but also redirecting it to development projects. For citizens, it represents a rare chance to see tangible accountability in action.
