Ex-Lands boss Wilson Gachanja, two officials arrested for allegedly aiding grabbing of KSh30M public land in Kwale

The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) on Monday, June 20 morning arrested former Commissioner of Lands Wilson Gachanja and two others over illegal acquisition of public land in Diani, Kwale County.

Gachanja was arrested alongside Zablon Mabeya - former senior lands officer in charge of the former Coast Province - and Jabu Salim Mohamed, a physical planner in the Ministry of Lands.

According to the EACC, the trio aided the grabbing of public land by private developers.

The public land in question is a public access road - Kwale Diani/Beach Block/1072 - valued at KSh30 million.

The suspects are currently in custody at EACC Integrity Centre Police Station. They will be moved to Mombasa to appear in court on Tuesday, June 21.

“Notably, Wilson Gachanja and Zablon Mabeya feature prominently in the various public land recovery suits that EACC has filed in court. EACC seeks to hold all persons involved in public land grabbing to account. More related investigations are underway” EACC CEO Twalib Mbarak says.