By Collins Masai | February 23, 2026
The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has successfully reclaimed two high-value public land parcels on Mombasa Island, collectively worth KSh 281 million, ending a protracted 15-year struggle against illegal allocations. The move underscores the Commission’s commitment to protecting public assets from corruption and misappropriation.
During a press briefing in Mombasa, EACC officials explained that the recoveries followed court rulings declaring the land allocations unlawful. One of the parcels, Plot Mombasa/Block I/526 along Shimanzi Road, valued at KSh 175 million, was originally designated for the Kenya Railways Corporation but was illegally allocated in 1994 to Zaharia Mohammd Mawia. Subsequent transfers led to development on the land, including the construction of Masjid Bilal mosque.
In a judgment delivered on February 13, 2026, Justice L. L. Naikuni of the Environment and Land Court declared the allocation and transfers unlawful, ordering that ownership be restored to Kenya Railways Corporation under EACC supervision. The ruling stressed that public land cannot be alienated through irregular procedures, even if developments have taken place.
The second parcel, Mombasa Island/Block XI/937 along Tom Mboya Avenue, valued at KSh 15 million, had been reserved for a public road extension. Justice Y. M. Angima ruled on February 3, 2026, that the allocation was invalid, ordering the cancellation of the title and return to public ownership. Additional parcels worth KSh 91 million along the same corridor have also been reclaimed.
David Too, EACC’s Director of Legal Affairs, noted that these parcels were part of a larger block previously subject to multiple illegal allocations. The Commission has nullified similar grabs in the area before and intends to pursue further recoveries.
In addition to reclaiming the land, the EACC vowed to investigate and prosecute public officials involved in the illegal allocations. “Those who facilitated these grabs, including public officers, will face the full force of the law,” said David Too, without naming specific individuals. He emphasized that EACC is committed to holding anyone involved in corruption accountable.
The recoveries highlight ongoing concerns over land fraud along Kenya’s coast, where prime public plots have frequently been targeted for private development. Residents currently occupying the disputed land are expected to vacate within 90 days.
EACC has urged Kenyans to report suspected corruption cases, pledging swift action. These efforts form part of broader national initiatives aimed at safeguarding public land and infrastructure for future generations.
