- EACC has reclaimed 4.9 acres of public land in Loresho worth over Ksh 400 million.
- The land, meant for expanding a water reservoir, had been grabbed and subdivided.
- Justice Ogutu Mboya nullified all private titles linked to the parcel.
- Investigations revealed a complex land scheme dating back to 1995.
- The property now returns to the government for water infrastructure use.
In a major win for public interest, the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has officially repossessed a 4.9-acre parcel of land in Nairobi’s Loresho area. The property, listed as NAIROBI BLOCK 90/229, had been illegally claimed by private developers and was set for a shopping mall project.
The land, originally set aside for expansion of the Loresho Water Reservoir, will now be returned to the government after the Environment and Land Court ruled in EACC’s favour. Justice Ogutu Mboya declared all the titles issued after subdivision null and void in a ruling made on May 19, 2025.
Decades-Old Grab Uncovered
The EACC began its probe in 2021 after concerned Loresho residents filed a complaint. A construction crew had appeared on-site, sparking fears that the public land was being misused. What followed was a detailed investigation that revealed a land grab scheme stretching back to 1995.
The front part of the reservoir land had been illegally turned into three plots — NAIROBI BLOCK 90/584–586 — which were allocated to Mitema Holdings Ltd, Maywood Ltd, and Nova Construction Ltd, companies linked to Leonard Onyancha and his wife. These parcels were later sold and merged into one (BLOCK 90/599) by Shital Bhandari.
Meanwhile, the back section was also sliced into five plots and handed to individuals including former Deputy Mayor Ali Mwanzi and Julia Ojiambo, before ending up in the hands of Fredrick Kimemia, who later transferred them to an associate.
In 2022, the EACC secured a court order halting any transactions on the land. During the case, 10 witnesses, including Nairobi County and national planning officials, gave evidence confirming the land was always reserved for public use.
Land to Serve Its Original Purpose
Following the ruling, the land is set to be officially handed back to Nairobi Water and Sewerage Company for the reservoir’s expansion. The verdict is being seen as a strong message against land grabbing and a big win for both the residents and institutions that fought to protect public resources.
“This ruling confirms that public land must remain public,” said one official from EACC after the decision.
The case now stands as a warning to illegal land acquirers and an example of what coordinated civic action and legal intervention can achieve.
