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Kamotho’s Sh2.8 Billion Karura Property Returned to Public as EACC Cracks Down

Nairobi, Kenya – The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has successfully recovered prime property valued at Sh2.8 billion in Karura Forest, which had been irregularly acquired by former Cabinet Minister Joseph Kamotho.

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The landmark recovery marks a significant victory in the ongoing fight against illegal land grabbing and the protection of Kenya’s public forests. The property, located in one of Nairobi’s most prestigious areas, had been subject to lengthy legal proceedings as authorities sought to reclaim the illegally allocated land.

According to EACC officials, the property was irregularly excised from Karura Forest, a protected ecosystem and vital green lung for Nairobi’s rapidly growing population. The commission’s investigations revealed that the acquisition violated existing land laws and forest conservation regulations.

“This recovery demonstrates our commitment to reclaiming public assets that were illegally acquired,” stated an EACC spokesperson during a press briefing. “The property will be returned to its rightful status as protected forest land.”

Mr. Kamotho, who served in various ministerial positions during former President Daniel arap Moi’s administration, has been a controversial figure in Kenya’s land grab scandals. The former politician has faced multiple allegations of irregular land acquisitions over the years.

The Sh2.8 billion property represents one of the largest single recoveries by the anti-corruption agency in recent years. The EACC has intensified its efforts to reclaim grabbed public land, particularly in Nairobi’s gazetted forests, which have been under threat from illegal developers and politically connected individuals.

Karura Forest, spanning approximately 1,063 hectares, has been at the center of conservation battles for decades. Environmental activists, led by Nobel laureate Professor Wangari Maathai in the 1990s, fought vigorously to protect the forest from illegal encroachment and development.

The recovery comes at a time when the government has pledged to increase forest cover and protect existing natural resources. President William Ruto’s administration has made forest conservation a key pillar of its environmental policy.

Legal experts have praised the EACC’s success, noting that it sets an important precedent for other cases involving irregularly acquired public land. The commission is currently pursuing several other high-profile land grabbing cases across the country.

Mr. Kamotho has not issued a public statement regarding the property recovery. Attempts to reach him for comment were unsuccessful at the time of publication.

The recovered land is expected to be formally gazetted back into Karura Forest, ensuring its protection for future generations and contributing to Nairobi’s environmental sustainability goals.