Kenya handcuffs Swazuri, others to court over graft charges

Kenya’s public prosecutor Noordin Mohamed Haji charged Muhammad Abdallah Swazuri, head of the National Land Commission and Atanas Kariuki Maina, the boss of Kenya Railways Corporation with corruption over land allocation for the new $3-billion Nairobi-Mombasa railway.

The men were handcuffed when they were brought to a Nairobi anti-corruption court this morning.

They were charged along with 15 others with conspiracy to defraud the government of Sh221.3 million. They were also accused of abuse of office, breach of trust, unlawful acquisition of public property and neglect of official duty.

Both men and 12 other officials, including businesspeople and three companies were named in a statement listing arrests that was posted on Saturday on the prosecutor’s office’s Twitter feed.

Public Prosecutor Mohamed Haji : to charge the arrested officials on Monday

Public prosecutor Noordin Mohamed Haji ordered the arrests and said in the statement he was preparing to charge the officials.

Kenya last year inaugurated the more than $3 billion railway which was funded by China. No Chinese companies or individuals were named in the prosecutor’s statement.

Kenya has been hit this year by a spate of scandals related to the alleged theft of hundreds of millions of Kenyan shillings (millions of dollars) by officials from government bodies.

Haji, appointed by Kenyatta earlier this year, is bringing charges against dozens of state officials and businesspeople in a number of court cases that have not yet begun.

The Full List of Arrests

Prof Muhammad Swazuri, chairman, National Land Commission

Mr Tom Aziz Chavangi, secretary/CEO, NLC

Dr Salome Munubi, taxation and valuation director, NLC

Mr Francis Mugo, finance and administration director, NLC

Mr Atanas Kariuki Maina, CEO, Kenya Railways

Mr Victor Wahome Kariuki, land surveyor, Kenya Railways

Mr Elijah Mwenda Nyamu, assistant land surveyor, Kenya Railways

Mr John Mwangi Mwaniki, senior land surveyor, Lands ministry

Ms Caroline Kituyi, registrar of titles, Lands ministry

Mr Peter Ng’ang’a Mburu, registrar of titles, Lands ministry

Ms Gladys Mwikali Muyanga, principal lands registrar officer, Lands ministry

Mr Obadiah Mbugua Wainaina, private surveyor

Mr David Barno Some

Ms Esther Chebet Some alias Esther Fura Some

Dasahe Investments Limited

Keibukwo Investments Limited

Olemetit Estate Limited

NAN