Wiper party leader Kalonzo Musyoka has been served
with an order to vacate a 500-acre property in Machakos that
allegedly belongs to the National Youth Service (NYS).
In a notice published by NYS Director General Richard
Ndubai, the former Vice President was given 14 days to leave the property
or face further action.
Kalonzo is accused of fraudulently acquiring the land during
his tenure as former President Mwai Kibaki's deputy, claims which he has
strongly refuted on grounds that the land was sold to him by one Janet
Chirchir.
Mr Ndubai on Tuesday, however, insisted that in compliance
with President Uhuru Kenyatta's directive to reclaim all grabbed NYS
lands, the action had been taken against the Opposition leader.
"The department, therefore, does not recognise any
claim whatsoever that any individual and or entity has over the said parcels of
land whether through themselves, their agents, assigns or successors," the
notice read in part.
The NYS boss went on to direct all who may be in
possession of deeds associated with the blacklisted lands to surrender them.
"Failure to surrender the department shall embark on
the process of repossession of the subject parcels at the individuals’ or entities
own peril as to the attendant costs and legal consequences arising from such
repossessions," the statement directed.
President Kenyatta's directive stated: "Land previously
owned by NYS will be returned to the institution for active programmes that will
help the youth in employment. The State will put all resources at its disposal
to ensure that NYS succeeds in this."
In 2016, Machakos Governor Alfred
Mutua raised alarm over the contested property in a petition brought
before the Senate Committee on County Public Accounts and Investments.
Dr Mutua further asked the Ethics and Anti-Corruption
Commission, the National Land Commission and the Commission on Administrative
Justice to investigate the Opposition leader on claims that he had used his
influence as VP to reward himself and his proxies.
The then Lands Minister, Charity Ngilu,
(now Kitui Governor) defended Kalonzo and further inquests waned.
