CC Image courtesy of White African on Flickr
The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of the Kenyan Police Service has accused high profile personalities, including former permanent secretary of the Ministry of Information and Communications Dr Bitange Ndemo, of misconduct in connection to the sale of the Malili Ranch site for the Konza Technopolis, reports suggest.
The CID has forwarded a report to the director of public prosecutions alleging Machakos county senator Johnstone Muthama, Law Society of Kenya chairperson Eric Mutua and Commission for the Implementation of the Constitution (CIC) commissioner Kamotho Waiganjo in their roles as directors of the Malili Ranch sold the land without shareholders’ consent, and thereafter received the majority of proceeds from the sale, reports the Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (KBC).
It is alleged Muthama initiated a change in directors at the Malili Ranch to place Mutua and Waiganjo in positions of directorship alongside himself; whereafter the three produced a range of fake documentation and board resolutions allowing the sale to proceed.
The CID accuses the three of conspiracy to defraud, obtaining money by false pretence and forgery of documents, and recommends they be arrested.
With the sale taking place during Ndemo’s time in office, he is accused of failing to complete due diligence procedures regarding the sale, and is said to have benefitted financially from the sale of the ranch.
According to the CID report, Ndemo presented a letter of offer for the purchase of the Malili Ranch plot before any proper land office enquiries were made.
Ndemo is also recommended for arrest.
In response, Ndemo tweeted: “Buying land in Kenya is problematic. Konza due diligence was done to the best of my knowledge.”
A number of other high-profile officials have also been named in the report, with the CID suggesting nine arrests be made in connection to the case.
