[2006] KEHC 3574 (KLR)
The court found that the applicant had placed sufficient evidence before it, through affidavits and supporting documents, to indicate that the respondents acquired the subject properties as a result of corrupt conduct, including illegal and unauthorized alienation and transfer of public land by Nairobi City Council...
Source-derived case information.
- Citation
- [2006] KEHC 3574 (KLR)
- Parties
- Applicant: Kenya Anti-Corruption Commission; Respondent: Paul Moses Ngetha; Respondent: Wairimu Kanga; Respondent: Mwangi H.C. Wang’ondu; Respondent: Thomas Kipkoech S. Koros; Respondent: John Muturi Thumi; Respondent: Wilson Kipkimboi Kipkoti; Respondent: Joseph Mute Ngatia; Respondent: Peter Muriithi Ngatia; Respondent: Simon Kimondo Mubea; Respondent: Harun Muhoro Mathu; Respondent: Johnson M.K. Ondieki; Respondent: Helen Njambi Mbugua; Respondent: Trade World Company Ltd.; Respondent: Jacqueline Yvonne Amoit; Respondent: Praise Place Ltd.; Respondent: Margaret W. Goko; Respondent: Fred Wainaina; Respondent: Jane Wangui Bono; Respondent: Eva N. Gaitha; Respondent: Chrisna Holdings Ltd.; Respondent: Sorken Ltd.; Respondent: Kennedy Nyabuti Ogeto; Respondent: John P. Nangurai; Respondent: Kenchelas Co. Ltd.; Respondent: Legal Representative of the Estate of Joseph Mulu Mutisya; Respondent: Joshua Polong; Respondent: Irene Wanjiru Mugambi; Respondent: Rosemary L. Njeri; Respondent: Peter Mwangi; Respondent: Alif International Ltd.; Respondent: Kirichwa Estates Ltd.; Respondent: George Philip Investment Ltd.; Respondent: Elizabeth Cherotich Mibey; Respondent: Geoffrey Chege Kirundi; Respondent: Albina Gichuki Koskey; Respondent: Joseph Njuguna Thairu; Respondent: James Reriani Gachagua; Respondent: Kapsoen Estates Ltd.; Respondent: Virginia Turuka; Respondent: Rosemary Gachiku Mugo; Respondent: Tambayya Enterprises Ltd.; Respondent: Brookside Studios Ltd.; Respondent: W. Musalia Mudavadi; Respondent: Peter Meienberg; Respondent: Abishax Heights Ltd.; Respondent: Catherine R. Njeri; Respondent: Valeview Plaza Ltd.; Respondent: Industrial Collaborative Ltd.; Respondent: Philip K. Wainaina; Respondent: Marewa Plantations Ltd.; Respondent: Joseph Mutuota Ltd; Respondent: Arga Ltd.; Respondent: Mohammed Isahakia; Respondent: Esther Mumbi Kironjo; Respondent: Michael Kareri Kanyotu; Respondent: Dickson Njiru Kyanda; Respondent: Jennifer Wanjiru Njau; Respondent: Mary Wanjiru Mwangi; Respondent: Noah Arap Too; Respondent: Ruth Wagaki Maina; Respondent: Peter Keith Nyagaka; Respondent: Nelson Mwanzia Kivuvani; Respondent: Mary J. Ong’ele; Respondent: Cyka Holdings Ltd.; Respondent: Gitwany Investment Ltd.; Respondent: Marrionson Holdings Ltd.; Respondent: Francis Maritim; Respondent: Henry Maina Gatete; Respondent: Hadijah Wanjiru Gathiaka; Respondent: Benson Irungu Mbaria; Respondent: John Njenga Mungai; Respondent: Elizabeth Jeruto; Respondent: Lucy W. Wanjohi; Respondent: Francesca Otete; Respondent: Matiny Ltd.; Respondent: Kimani Kongo; Respondent: David Gachina Muriithi; Respondent: Tradeside Ltd.; Respondent: Rahab Wanjiru Gichuhi; Respondent: Zipporah Naisenya Waiyaki; Respondent: Amina Ahmed Abdi; Respondent: Albert Kipruto; Respondent: Tegemeo Investments Ltd.; Respondent: Andrew Gikonyo Ndegwa; Respondent: Chemusian Co. Ltd.; Respondent: George Gaithuma; Respondent: Naomy Wambui Wangai; Respondent: Noel K. Wambua; Respondent: Jamma Consolidated Ltd.; Respondent: Bali Investments Ltd.; Respondent: Kazi Kazi Investments Ltd.; Respondent: Mwakio Investments Ltd.; Respondent: Stephen Kirima Kogi; Respondent: Kimeo Stores Ltd.; Respondent: Phoebe Wambui Gakui; Respondent: Rose Wanjiku Kimani; Respondent: Boniface Services Ltd.; Respondent: Joseph Otunga; Respondent: Parkside Medical Centre; Respondent: Sattelite Industrial Supplies Ltd.; Respondent: Yatta Tornados Ltd.; Respondent: Wariwax Generation Ltd.; Respondent: Gathiru Enterprises Ltd.
- Court
- High Court
- Court Station
- High Court at Nairobi (Milimani Law Courts)
- Jurisdiction
- Kenya
- Case Number
- ? 781 of 2006
- Procedural Posture
- Miscellaneous Application / Ruling on Ex Parte Application for Preservation Order
- Outcome
- Application allowed. Preservation order granted.
- Legal Topics
- Public Land Allocation, Corrupt Acquisition of Property, Preservation Orders, Statutory Powers of Local Authorities, Ex Parte Proceedings, Service of Process
- Source Language
- en
Source-derived case record
Summary, issues, holding and outcome
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Parties
Kenya Anti-Corruption Commission
Applicant
Paul Moses Ngetha
Respondent
Wairimu Kanga
Respondent
Mwangi H.C. Wang’ondu
Respondent
Thomas Kipkoech S. Koros
Respondent
John Muturi Thumi
Respondent
Wilson Kipkimboi Kipkoti
Respondent
Joseph Mute Ngatia
Respondent
Peter Muriithi Ngatia
Respondent
Simon Kimondo Mubea
Respondent
Harun Muhoro Mathu
Respondent
Johnson M.K. Ondieki
Respondent
Helen Njambi Mbugua
Respondent
Trade World Company Ltd.
Respondent
Jacqueline Yvonne Amoit
Respondent
Praise Place Ltd.
Respondent
Margaret W. Goko
Respondent
Fred Wainaina
Respondent
Jane Wangui Bono
Respondent
Eva N. Gaitha
Respondent
Chrisna Holdings Ltd.
Respondent
Sorken Ltd.
Respondent
Kennedy Nyabuti Ogeto
Respondent
John P. Nangurai
Respondent
Kenchelas Co. Ltd.
Respondent
Legal Representative of the Estate of Joseph Mulu Mutisya
Respondent
Joshua Polong
Respondent
Irene Wanjiru Mugambi
Respondent
Rosemary L. Njeri
Respondent
Peter Mwangi
Respondent
Alif International Ltd.
Respondent
Kirichwa Estates Ltd.
Respondent
George Philip Investment Ltd.
Respondent
Elizabeth Cherotich Mibey
Respondent
Geoffrey Chege Kirundi
Respondent
Albina Gichuki Koskey
Respondent
Joseph Njuguna Thairu
Respondent
James Reriani Gachagua
Respondent
Kapsoen Estates Ltd.
Respondent
Virginia Turuka
Respondent
Rosemary Gachiku Mugo
Respondent
Tambayya Enterprises Ltd.
Respondent
Brookside Studios Ltd.
Respondent
W. Musalia Mudavadi
Respondent
Peter Meienberg
Respondent
Abishax Heights Ltd.
Respondent
Catherine R. Njeri
Respondent
Valeview Plaza Ltd.
Respondent
Industrial Collaborative Ltd.
Respondent
Philip K. Wainaina
Respondent
Marewa Plantations Ltd.
Respondent
Joseph Mutuota Ltd
Respondent
Arga Ltd.
Respondent
Mohammed Isahakia
Respondent
Esther Mumbi Kironjo
Respondent
Michael Kareri Kanyotu
Respondent
Dickson Njiru Kyanda
Respondent
Jennifer Wanjiru Njau
Respondent
Mary Wanjiru Mwangi
Respondent
Noah Arap Too
Respondent
Ruth Wagaki Maina
Respondent
Peter Keith Nyagaka
Respondent
Nelson Mwanzia Kivuvani
Respondent
Mary J. Ong’ele
Respondent
Cyka Holdings Ltd.
Respondent
Gitwany Investment Ltd.
Respondent
Marrionson Holdings Ltd.
Respondent
Francis Maritim
Respondent
Henry Maina Gatete
Respondent
Hadijah Wanjiru Gathiaka
Respondent
Benson Irungu Mbaria
Respondent
John Njenga Mungai
Respondent
Elizabeth Jeruto
Respondent
Lucy W. Wanjohi
Respondent
Francesca Otete
Respondent
Matiny Ltd.
Respondent
Kimani Kongo
Respondent
David Gachina Muriithi
Respondent
Tradeside Ltd.
Respondent
Rahab Wanjiru Gichuhi
Respondent
Zipporah Naisenya Waiyaki
Respondent
Amina Ahmed Abdi
Respondent
Albert Kipruto
Respondent
Tegemeo Investments Ltd.
Respondent
Andrew Gikonyo Ndegwa
Respondent
Chemusian Co. Ltd.
Respondent
George Gaithuma
Respondent
Naomy Wambui Wangai
Respondent
Noel K. Wambua
Respondent
Jamma Consolidated Ltd.
Respondent
Bali Investments Ltd.
Respondent
Kazi Kazi Investments Ltd.
Respondent
Mwakio Investments Ltd.
Respondent
Stephen Kirima Kogi
Respondent
Kimeo Stores Ltd.
Respondent
Phoebe Wambui Gakui
Respondent
Rose Wanjiku Kimani
Respondent
Boniface Services Ltd.
Respondent
Joseph Otunga
Respondent
Parkside Medical Centre
Respondent
Sattelite Industrial Supplies Ltd.
Respondent
Yatta Tornados Ltd.
Respondent
Wariwax Generation Ltd.
Respondent
Gathiru Enterprises Ltd.
Respondent
Procedural Posture
Miscellaneous Application / Ruling on Ex Parte Application for Preservation Order
Legal Issues
- 1 Whether the properties in question were acquired by the respondents as a result of corrupt conduct contrary to the Anti-Corruption and Economic Crimes Act, 2003.
- 2 Whether the applicant has provided sufficient evidence to justify the issuance of a preservation order under section 56(1) of the Act.
- 3 Whether the respondents should be prohibited from transferring, disposing of, or dealing with the subject properties pending further proceedings.
Ratio Decidendi
The court found that the applicant had placed sufficient evidence before it, through affidavits and supporting documents, to indicate that the respondents acquired the subject properties as a result of corrupt conduct, including illegal and unauthorized alienation and transfer of public land by Nairobi City Council officials without proper authority, council resolutions, or ministerial approval. The court held that, in the interests of justice and fair play, the respondents should be called upon to explain how they acquired the properties, and until they do so satisfactorily, they should not be allowed to alienate, transfer, dispose of, or otherwise deal with the properties. Accordingly,...
Court Disposition
Application allowed. Preservation order granted.
Orders
- An order is issued prohibiting the transfer, disposal, or other dealing with the specified properties in Woodley/Joseph Kang’ethe Estate for six months from the date hereof.
- The applicant is ordered to serve the order and application on each respondent within thirty days.
Full Case Text
Judgment text and source record
346 paragraphs
REPUBLIC OF KENYA
IN THE HIGH COURT OF KENYA AT NAIROBI
MILIMANI LAW COURTS
Misc Appli 781 of 2006
IN THE MATTER OF: THE ANTI-CORRUPTION AND
ECONOMIC CRIMES ACT, 2003
AND
IN THE MATTER OF: AN APPLICATION BY KENYA ANTI-
CORRUPTION COMMISSION FOR A
PRESERVATION ORDER IN RESPECT
OF L.R. NO.209/13539,L.R.76717
(WOODLEY/JOSEPH KANG’ETHE
ESTATE) AND ANY/ALL SUB-
DIVISIONS CREATED THEREFROM
KENYAANTI-CORRUPTION COMMISSION …….................….APPLICANT
VERSUS
(1)PAUL MOSES NGETHA
(2)WAIRIMU KANGA
(3)MWANGI H.C. WANG’ONDU
(4)THOMAS KIPKOECH S. KOROS
(5)JOHN MUTURI THUMI
(6)WILSON KIPKIMBOI KIPKOTI
(7)JOSEPH MUTE NGATIA
(8)PETER MURIITHI NGATIA
(9)SIMON KIMONDO MUBEA
(10)HARUN MUHORO MATHU
(11)JOHNSON M.K. ONDIEKI
(12)HELEN NJAMBI MBUGUA
(13)TRADE WORLD COMPANY LTD.
(14)JACQUELINE YVONNE AMOIT
(15)PRAISE PLACE LTD.
(16)MARGARET W. GOKO
(17)FRED WAINAINA
(18)JANE WANGUI BONO
(19)EVA N. GAITHA
(20)CHRISNA HOLDINGS LTD.
(21)SORKEN LTD.
(22)KENNEDY NYABUTI OGETO
(23)JOHN P. NANGURAI
(24)KENCHELAS CO. LTD.
(25)LEGAL REPRESENTATIVE OF THE ESTATE OF JOSEPH MULU
MUTISYA
(26)JOSHUA POLONG
(27)IRENE WANJIRU MUGAMBI
(28)ROSEMARY L. NJERI
(29)PETER MWANGI
(30)ALIF INTERNATIONAL LTD.
(31)KIRICHWA ESTATES LTD.
(32)GEORGE PHILIP INVESTMENT LTD.
(33)ELIZABETH CHEROTICH MIBEY
(34)GEOFFREY CHEGE KIRUNDI
(35)ALBINA GICHUKI KOSKEY
(36)JOSEPH NJUGUNA THAIRU
(37)JAMES RERIANI GACHAGUA
(38)KAPSOEN ESTATES LTD.
(39)VIRGINIA TURUKA
(40)ROSEMARY GACHIKU MUGO
(41)TAMBAYYA ENTERPRISES LTD.
(42)BROOKSIDE STUDIOS LTD.
(43)W. MUSALIA MUDAVADI
(44)PETER MEIENBERG
(45)ABISHAX HEIGHTS LTD.
(46)CATHERINE R. NJERI
(47)VALEVIEW PLAZA LTD.
(48)INDUSTRIAL COLLABORATIVE LTD.
(49)PHILIP K. WAINAINA
(50)MAREWA PLANTATIONS LTD.
(51)JOSEPH MUTUOTA LTD
(52)ARGA LTD.
(53)MOHAMMED ISAHAKIA
(54)ESTHER MUMBI KIRONJO
(55)MICHAEL KARERI KANYOTU
(56)DICKSON NJIRU KYANDA
(57)JENNIFER WANJIRU NJAU
(58)MARY WANJIRU MWANGI
(59)NOAH ARAP TOO
(60)RUTH WAGAKI MAINA
(61)PETER KEITH NYAGAKA
(62)NELSON MWANZIA KIVUVANI
(63)MARY J. ONG’ELE
(64)CYKA HOLDINGS LTD.
(65)GITWANY INVESTMENT LTD.
(66)MARRIONSON HOLDINGS LTD.
(67)FRANCIS MARITIM
(68)HENRY MAINA GATETE
(69)HADIJAH WANJIRU GATHIAKA
(70)BENSON IRUNGU MBARIA
(71)JOHN NJENGA MUNGAI
(72)ELIZABETH JERUTO
(73)LUCY W. WANJOHI
(74)FRANCESCA OTETE
(75)MATINY LTD.
(76)KIMANI KONGO
(77)DAVID GACHINA MURIITHI
(78)TRADESIDE LTD.
(79)RAHAB WANJIRU GICHUHI
(80)ZIPPORAH NAISENYA WAIYAKI
(81)AMINA AHMED ABDI
(82)ALBERT KIPRUTO
(83)TEGEMEO INVESTMENTS LTD.
(84)ANDREW GIKONYO NDEGWA
(85)CHEMUSIAN CO. LTD.
(86)GEORGE GAITHUMA
(87)NAOMY WAMBUI WANGAI
(88)NOEL K. WAMBUA
(89)JAMMA CONSOLIDATED LTD.
(90)BALI INVESTMENTS LTD.
(91)KAZI KAZI INVESTMENTS LTD.
(92)MWAKIO INVESTMENTS LTD.
(93)STEPHEN KIRIMA KOGI
(94)KIMEO STORES LTD.
(95)PHOEBE WAMBUI GAKUI
(96)ROSE WANJIKU KIMANI
(97)BONIFACE SERVICES LTD.
(98)JOSEPH OTUNGA
(99)PARKSIDE MEDICAL CENTRE
(100)SATTELITE INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES LTD.
(101)YATTA TORNADOS LTD.
(102)WARIWAX GENERATION LTD.
(103)GATHIRU ENTERPRISES LTD. …..............………RESPONDENTS
RULING
(1) The Applicant in this Motion is the Kenya Anti-Corruption Commission (“the Commission”), established under Section 6(1) of the Anti-Corruption and Economic Crimes Act, 2003 (“the Act”).
(2) This application is brought under section 56 of the Act, the relevant part of which provides —
“56. (1) On an ex parte application by the Commission, the High Court may make an order prohibiting the transfer or disposal of or other dealing with property on evidence that the property was acquired as a result of corrupt conduct.
(2) An order under this section may be made against a person who was involved in the corrupt conduct or against a person who subsequently acquired the property.
(3) An order under this section shall have effect for six months and may be extended by the court on the application of the Commission.”
In the marginal note to the section such an order is referred to as an “order preserving suspect property” which may explain why the Commission calls it a Preservation Order. For my part, I will stick to the language of the section.
(3) In the Motion, the Commission seeks an order prohibiting the transfer or disposal of or other dealing in respect of all that property known as Woodley/Joseph Kang’ethe Estate comprising Plot L.R. No.209/13539 I.R. 76717 and any excisions/ subdivisions created therefrom. These properties include:
(1) Land Reference No.209/13539/154 I.R. No.80454;
(2) Land Reference No.209/13539/184 I.R. No.80455;
(3) Land Reference No.209/13539/57 I.R. No.80456;
(4) Land Reference No.209/13539/102 I.R. No.80457;
(5) Land Reference No.209/13539/ 87 I.R. No.80458;
(6) Land Reference No.209/13539/29 I.R. No.80459;
(7) Land Reference No.209/13539/143 I.R. No.80460;
(8) Land Reference No.209/13539/20 I.R. No.80461;
(9) Land Reference No.209/13539/101 I.R. No.80462;
(10) Land Reference No.209/13539/60 I.R. No.80463;
(11) Land Reference No.209/13539/122 I.R. No.80464;
(12) Land Reference No.209/13539/50 I.R. No. 80465;
(13) Land Reference No.209/13539/152 I.R. No. 80466;
(14) Land Reference No.209/13539/163 I.R. No. 80467;
(15) Land Reference No.209/13539/49 I.R. No. 80468;
(16) Land Reference No.209/13539/169 I.R. No. 80469;
(17) Land Reference No.209/13539/21 I.R. No. 80470;
(18) Land Reference No.209/13539/71 I.R. No. 80471;
(19) Land Reference No.209/13539/13 I.R. No. 80472;
(20) Land Reference No.209/13539/23 I.R. No. 80473;
(21) Land Reference No.209/13539/65 I.R. No. 80474;
(22) Land Reference No.209/13539/99 I.R. No. 80475;
(23) Land Reference No.209/13539/112 I.R. No.80476;
(24) Land Reference No.209/13539/120 I.R. No.80477;
(25) Land Reference No.209/13539/135 I.R. No.80478;
(26) Land Reference No.209/13539/61 I.R. No.80696;
(27) Land Reference No.209/13539/68 I.R. No.80697;
(28) Land Reference No.209/13539/4 I.R. No.80698;
(29) Land Reference No.209/13539/132 I.R. No.80699;
(30) Land Reference No.209/13539/160 I.R. No.80700;
(31) Land Reference No.209/13539/139 I.R. No.80701;
(32) Land Reference No.209/13539/59 I.R. No. 80702;
(33) Land Reference No.209/13539/17 I.R. No. 80703;
(34) Land Reference No.209/13539/203 I.R. No. 80704;
(35) Land Reference No.209/13539/128 I.R. No. 80705;
(36) Land Reference No.209/13539/183 I.R. No. 80706;
(37) Land Reference No.209/13539/106 I.R. No. 80707;
(38) Land Reference No.209/13539/85 I.R. No. 80708;
(39) Land Reference No.209/13539/27 I.R. No. 80709;
(40) Land Reference No.209/13539/124 I.R. No. 80710;
(41) Land Reference No.209/13539/82 I.R. No. 80711;
(42) Land Reference No.209/13539/129 I.R. No. 80712;
(43) Land Reference No.209/13539/156 I.R. No. 80713;
(44) Land Reference No.209/13539/148 I.R. No. 80714;
(45) Land Reference No.209/13539/108 I.R. No. 80715;
(46) Land Reference No.209/13539/140 I.R. No. 80716;
(47) Land Reference No.209/13539/113 I.R. No. 80717;
(48) Land Reference No.209/13539/109 I.R. No. 80718;
(49) Land Reference No.209/13539/114 I.R. No. 80724;
(50) Land Reference No.209/13539/101 I.R. No. 81463;
(51) Land Reference No.209/13539/25 I.R. No. 814464;
(52) Land Reference No.209/13539/53 I.R. No. 814462;
(53) Land Reference No.209/13539/70 I.R. No. 814465;
(54) Land Reference No.209/13539/88 I.R. No. 814461;
(55) Land Reference No.209/13539/78 I.R. No.814460;
(56) Land Reference No.209/13539/107 I.R. No.801459;
(57) Land Reference No.209/13539/118 I.R. No.81458;
(58) Land Reference No.209/13539/121 I.R. No.81457;
(59) Land Reference No.209/13539/165 I.R. No.81533;
(60) Land Reference No.209/13539/153 I.R. No.81534;
(61) Land Reference No.209/13539/211 I.R. No.81535;
(62) Land Reference No.209/13539/189 I.R. No.81536;
(63) Land Reference No.209/13539/187 I.R. No.81537;
(64) Land Reference No.209/13539/201 I.R. No.81538;
(65) Land Reference No.209/13539/72 I.R. No.81539;
(66) Land Reference No.209/13539/110 I.R. No.81540;
(67) Land Reference No.209/13539/100 I.R. No.81541;
(68) Land Reference No.209/13539/181 I.R. No.81542;
(69) Land Reference No.209/13539/92 I.R. No.81543;
(70) Land Reference No.209/13539/79 I.R. No.81544;
(71) Land Reference No.209/13539/77 I.R. No.81545;
(72) Land Reference No.209/13539/136 I.R. No.81546;
(73) Land Reference No.209/13539/105 I.R. No.81547;
(74) Land Reference No.209/13539/47 I.R. No. 81548;
(75) Land Reference No.209/13539/158 I.R. No. 81549;
(76) Land Reference No.209/13539/111 I.R. No. 81550;
(77) Land Reference No.209/13539/30 I.R. No. 81552;
(78) Land Reference No.209/13539/75 I.R. No. 81553;
(79) Land Reference No.209/13539/33 I.R. No. 81554;
(80) Land Reference No.209/13539/18 I.R. No. 81555;
(81) Land Reference No.209/13539/197 I.R. No. 81556;
(82) Land Reference No.209/13539/12 I.R. No.81557;
(83) Land Reference No.209/13539/162 I.R. No.81558;
(84) Land Reference No.209/13539/3 I.R. No.81559;
(85) Land Reference No.209/13539/41 I.R. No.81560;
(86) Land Reference No.209/13539/56 I.R. No.81561;
(87) Land Reference No.209/13539/196 I.R. No.81562;
(88) Land Reference No.209/13539/97 I.R. No.81563;
(89) Land Reference No.209/13539/61 I.R. No.81564;
(90) Land Reference No.209/13539/130 I.R. No.81565;
(91) Land Reference No.209/13539/40 I.R. No.81612;
(92) Land Reference No.209/13539/45 I.R. No. 81613;
(93) Land Reference No.209/13539/76 I.R. No. 81614;
(94) Land Reference No.209/13539/84 I.R. No. 81615;
(95) Land Reference No.209/13539/210 I.R. No. 81616;
(96) Land Reference No.209/13539/174 I.R. No. 81617;
(97) Land Reference No.209/13539/179 I.R. No. 81618;
(98) Land Reference No.209/13539/214 I.R. No. 81619;
(99) Land Reference No.209/13539/39 I.R. No. 90759;
(100)Land Reference No.209/13539/42 I.R. No.90760;
(101)Land Reference No.209/13539/73 I.R. No.90761;
(102)Land Reference No.209/13539/74 I.R. No.90762;
(103)Land Reference No.209/13539/94 I.R. No.90763.
(4) The Commission seeks the order against one hundred and three Respondents who it is alleged are presently registered as owners of those properties. The Commission says it had carried out investigations and confirmed that the named Respondents are the true owners. Those Respondents are:
1. Paul Moses Ngetha
2. Wairimu Kanga
3. Mwangi H.C. Wang’ondu
4. Thomas Kipkoech S. Koros
5. John Muturi Thumi
6. Wilson Kipkimboi Kipkoti
7. Joseph Mute Ngatia
8. Peter Muriithi Ngatia
9. Simon Kimondo Mubea
10. Harun Muhoro Mathu
11. Johnson M.K. Ondieki
12. Helen Njambi Mbugua
13. Trade World Company Ltd.
14. Jacqueline Yvonne Amoit
15. Praise Place Ltd.
16. Margaret W. Goko
17. Fred Wainaina
18. Jane Wangui Bono
19. Eva N. Gaitha
20. Chrisna Holdings Ltd.
21. Sorken Ltd.
22. Kennedy Nyabuti Ogeto
23. John P. Nangurai
24. Kenchelas Co. Ltd.
25. Legal Representative of the Estate of Joseph Mulu Mutisya
26. Joshua Polong
27. Irene Wanjiru Mugambi
28. Rosemary L. Njeri
29. Peter Mwangi
30. Alif International Ltd.
31. Kirichwa Estates Ltd.
32. George Philip Investment Ltd.
33. Elizabeth Cherotich Mibey
34. Geoffrey Chege Kirundi
35. Albina Gichuki Koskey
36. Joseph Njuguna Thairu
37. James Reriani Gachagua
38. Kapsoen Estates Ltd.
39. Virginia Turuka
40. Rosemary Gachiku Mugo
41. Tambayya Enterprises Ltd.
42. Brookside Studios Ltd.
43. W. Musalia Mudavadi
44. Peter Meienberg
45. Abishax Heights Ltd.
46. Catherine R. Njeri
47. Valeview Plaza Ltd.
48. Industrial Collaborative Ltd.
49. Philip K. Wainaina
50. Marewa Plantations Ltd.
51. Joseph Mutuota Ltd
52. Arga Ltd.
53. Mohammed Isahakia
54. Esther Mumbi Kironjo
55. Michael Kareri Kanyotu
56. Dickson Njiru Kyanda
57. Jennifer Wanjiru Njau
58. Mary Wanjiru Mwangi
59. Noah Arap Too
60. Ruth Wagaki Maina
61. Peter Keith Nyagaka
62. Nelson Mwanzia Kivuvani
63. Mary J. Ong’ele
64. Cyka Holdings Ltd.
65. Gitwany Investment Ltd.
66. Marrionson Holdings Ltd.
67. Francis Maritim
68. Henry Maina Gatete
69. Hadijah Wanjiru Gathiaka
70. Benson Irungu Mbaria
71. John Njenga Mungai
72. Elizabeth Jeruto
73. Lucy W. Wanjohi
74. Francesca Otete
75. Matiny Ltd.
76. Kimani Kongo
77. David Gachina Muriithi
78. Tradeside Ltd.
79. Rahab Wanjiru Gichuhi
80. Zipporah Naisenya Waiyaki
81. Amina Ahmed Abdi
82. Albert Kipruto
83. Tegemeo Investments Ltd.
84. Andrew Gikonyo Ndegwa
85. Chemusian Co. Ltd.
86. George Gaithuma
87. Naomy Wambui Wangai
88. Noel K. Wambua
89. Jamma Consolidated Ltd.
90. Bali Investments Ltd.
91. Kazi Kazi Investments Ltd.
92. Mwakio Investments Ltd.
93. Stephen Kirima Kogi
94. Kimeo Stores Ltd.
95. Phoebe Wambui Gakui
96. Rose Wanjiku Kimani
97. Boniface Services Ltd.
98. Joseph Otunga
99. Parkside Medical Centre
100. Sattelite Industrial Supplies Ltd.
101. Yatta Tornados Ltd.
102. Wariwax Generation Ltd.
103. Gathiru Enterprises Ltd………….............................................…………….RESPONDENTS
(5) These properties, were originally owned by the Nairobi City Council (“the Council”) under a Grant to the Council for the purposes of erecting rental dwelling houses for the residents of the City. It is alleged that at some point in time when the City was being run by a Commission, the Commission purported to allocate the houses/plots in the estate to various persons at a stated premium of K.Shs.1. 1 million. On the 8th June 1998, Grant No. I.R. 76717 was issued in the name of Nairobi City Council in respect of the whole land comprising some 34. 63 hectares. Thereafter, Instruments of Lease were prepared in favour of the Respondents by the Nairobi City Council and registered against the title.
(6) According to the affidavits sworn in support of this application by Mary Ngechi Ng’ethe, the Council’s Director of Legal Services, the Hon. William Ronkorua Ntimama, at the material time the Minister of Local Government, and Nzioki wa Makau, the Commission’s Investigator, the alienation and transfer of these properties was done illegally, corruptly and in flagrant breach by responsible officers at City Hall of their statutory duty. There were no Resolutions passed by the Council to alienate the properties or transfer them to the Respondents. As confirmed by Hon. William Ntimama, he did not give Ministerial approval to the alienation or sale as the Minister for Local Government. The officers of the Council who effected the transfers had no authority to do so, acted without power and abused their offices.
(7) Mr. Nzioki wa Makau also says in his affidavit that the alienation and transfers to the Respondents was without consideration; that none of these Respondents paid for the plots they were given; and that even those who claim to have paid have produced no evidence to show that the payments were made to the Nairobi City Council. The Commission decided to investigate the allocations after receiving a complaint questioning the propriety of the disposal of Woodley Estate.
(8) Another vital point that is made by Mr. Nzioki wa Makau is that Mrs. Zipporah Wandera who was the Town Clerk at the material time and who signed the leases in question has not denied having done so but simply says she must have signed these documents routinely after being presented to her by other officers of the Council.
(9) For the reasons I have outlined, I agree with Mrs. Jacinta Oduor, learned counsel for the Commission, that she has placed sufficient evidence before the court to support an order under section 56(1) of the Act. The averments in the affidavits without more indicate that the Respondents acquired those properties as a result of corrupt conduct. That being the case, it is in the interest of justice and fair play that the Respondents and each one of them should be called upon to explain how he/she/it/they acquired those properties. And until they do that satisfactorily, the Respondents or any of them should not be allowed to alienate, transfer, dispose of or deal with such properties in any manner.
(10) Accordingly, I allow this application and in exercise of the power in that behalf conferred by section 56(1) of the Act do hereby make an order in terms of prayer No.2 of the Originating Motion filed on the 12th October 2006 prohibiting the transfer or disposal of or other dealing with the properties specified in the said prayer or any of them.
(11) As regards service, the Commission requests that service be effected upon the Respondents through the press. Service is a judicial process and since the order has been obtained ex parte through no fault of the Respondents, they and each one of them must be served in accordance with the normal rules of service prescribed under the Civil Procedure Rules. The Commission is accordingly ordered to serve the order hereby made together with the application on each and every Respondent within the next thirty (30) days from today. And every Respondent so served may within fifteen (15) days from the date of service apply to the court to discharge or vary the order.
(12) Otherwise, the order I have made preserving the effected properties shall remain in force for six months from the date hereof. The costs of the application will be in the cause.
Dated and delivered at Nairobi this Sixteenth day of October 2006.
P. Kihara Kariuki
Judge