At least 30 businesses will be affected after the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) reclaimed land allegedly grabbed by a private developer adjacent to the Rift Valley Regional Commissioner and DCI offices.

The land, which covers half an acre and is valued at Sh100 million and houses offices, cyber cafes and a hotel, will be returned to the government after being in private hands for three decades.

James* a businessman within the complex, says the said land previously housed a police canteen where they used to eat and drink decades ago.

"I have been doing business here for more than two decades. From the beginning, I knew that this place was government land, but was later acquired by a private individual. Now that the land has been returned to the government, we will vacate the premises," says the businessman.

In response to the EACC's move to recover stolen public land, Nakuru residents have praised the authority for recovering the said land in the city centre.

This particular piece of land was originally earmarked for the expansion of government offices, including labour offices and magistrates' courts.

However, it was illegally seized by a private developer in 1994, despite having been allocated to the government in 1984.

Noting that Nakuru is notorious for land grabbing, businessman Joseph Akach said he was glad to see the authority stepping in to reclaim the grabbed land.

"To see government land in the city centre being occupied by private investors is impunity of the highest order. We urge the EACC to set up camp in Nakuru and reclaim even land that has been forcefully grabbed by people in high government positions who seem to be untouchable," says Mr Akach.

Another resident, Laurence Obia, notes that a lot of land has been grabbed in the county, and wonders why the authority has chosen to look the other way in some cases.

Laurence obia a Nakuru resident lauds EACC for recovering grabbed land in nakuru's city center.

Photo credit: Purity Kinuthia/Mtaa Wangu

"The Nakuru War Memorial, Ndabibi, has been making waves, but no one is coming out to help the citizens who will be at a loss once this land is converted to private ownership. We want to see Nakuru leaders condemning this menace instead of getting involved in these sagas," he noted.

Commenting on the issue of land grabbers claiming to be above the law, the commission's spokesperson, Eric Ngumbi, says no one will use political influence to get away with such offences. once found guilty of illegally acquiring public land, they will face the law.

EACC Spokesperson Eric Ngumbi.

Photo credit: Purity Kinuthia/Mtaa Wangu

"The commission's ambition is to recover a staggering Sh9billion worth of land in Nakuru through court cases alone. Another Sh10billion worth of grabbed land is still under investigation before cases are taken to court. It may take some time, but the Commission is working to recover lost public land," Mr Ngumbi said.

The Commission's actions underscore a concerted effort to fight corruption and restore integrity to land management practices, and signal a significant step towards transparency and accountability in Nakuru County's governance.

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