Former Chief Officer of Baringo Lands Department Arrested for Land Fraud

• Two were arrested in connection with falsely increasing a parcel of land in Karbanet town Baringo County
• The land was initially valued at Ksh.8 million but was increased to Ksh.24.3 million.
• The suspects will be charged with failure to comply with laws and regulations relating to procurement and deceiving a principal.

The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has made a major breakthrough in its investigations into a fraudulent land acquisition in Karbanet town. The Commission has announced the arrest of two individuals, the former Chief Officer for the Department of Lands, Housing and Urban Development in Baringo County, Dorcas Kandie, and the proprietor of Adomag Valuers and Associates, Dominic Odondi Auma. The two are accused of conspiring to inflate the price and falsely increasing the acreage of a parcel of land acquired by the Baringo County Government.

The land in question, initially valued at Ksh.8 million, was falsely jacked up to Ksh.24.3 million by the duo. In a bid to justify the increase in the asking price, they also falsely increased the acreage of the land from 7.8 acres to 10 acres. Their actions are a blatant violation of laws and regulations relating to procurement and the deceit of a principal.

“The Chief Officer facilitated the procurement of the said piece of land at an inflated purchase price of Ksh. 24.3 million against the market value of Ksh.8 million.” the documents stated.

The two suspects are currently being held at the EACC offices in Nakuru, awaiting arraignment on February 16, 2023. This shocking development has sent shock waves across the country, and many are calling for swift justice to be served. It is a reminder that corruption remains a significant challenge in the country and that the authorities are doing everything they can to curb it.