The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has accepted an offer from two doctors, the proprietors of Kerio Hospital Ltd in Karbanet Municipality, to surrender back to the Government public land in their possession.
This is a rare occurrence where persons who have knowingly or unknowingly acquired public property decide to voluntarily surrender the same back to the State for public benefit.
The land, which measures approximately 0.1805ha belonged to the Department of Housing and Urban Settlement in Kabarnet town before it was grabbed and sold to the Hospital.
Investigations by EACC revealed that the land was irregularly alienated on December 23, 2004 to John Sergon who subsequently sold the parcel of land to Kerio Hospital Limited at Ksh4.2 million in 2017.
Read: EACC Gives Governors, Mps 30 Day Ultimatum Over Wealth
When Kerio Hospital Limited learnt from EACC that the land had been grabbed from the Government and sold to them and a title deed issued, the Hospital wrote to EACC on August 27, 2022, seeking to surrender the same back to the Government.
Consequently, on Thursday, September 29, 2022, the two Directors/ Owners of Kerio Hospital Limited, Dr Kibet Ruto and Dr Charles Kurgat, accompanied by their Advocate Ms Wanjiku Nduati, delivered the Title Deed to EACC Offices in Nakuru, having surrendered all their interest in the piece of land.
The Title Deed was received in Nakuru on behalf of EACC CEO Twalib Mbarak, by the EACC South Rift Regional Manager, Mr Ignatius Wekesa. EACC has commenced the process of reverting the land back to the Government.
Read: EACC Sues Homabay County Officials Over Ksh36M Fraud
The land officials who facilitated the land grabbing will be subjected to criminal prosecution.
Meanwhile, the Commission calls upon all other persons in possession of stolen public property to emulate the brave and commendable action of the two Doctors, and voluntarily surrender the said property for public benefit.
Voluntary surrender of stolen public property is recognized in law under the Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) framework which entails negotiations and mediation in the resolution of legal disputes devoid of the costly and time-consuming litigation.
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