The National Lands Commission (NLC) says that Deputy President William Ruto must pay for the parcel of land where Weston Hotel stands at current market value, as he pursues the persons who sold the property to him.
Speaking during an interview with Citizen TV on Tuesday, outgoing NLC vice chairperson Abigael Mbagaya says the payment will enable the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) to acquire an alternative piece of land of similar size and value.
“If he wants, he can go after the people who sold it to him….that’s what we are doing…you return it because it’s you we have caught on the ground then you chase whoever else who sold it to you to recover your money,” Mbagaya says.
Mbagaya says that a report will be shared with the public once the valuation of the land where the hotel sits is carried out.
She has also denied claims that there was a political influence on NLC’s decision directing Ruto to compensate KCAA.
“How can there be a political influence when you are telling somebody to pay restitution to the people of Kenya?” she poses.
Last week, Ruto admitted that the land where his hotel sits was illegally acquired.
He, however, exonerated himself from any wrongdoing, saying that he “innocently” purchased the land from its original owners, who got it illegally.
NLC established that KCAA is the rightful owner of the land and wants Ruto to pay the State agency for the land at current rates.
Why are they bending the…
Why are they bending the rules when it comes to arap mashamba. That is the template everybody else will be using.
No! Once you’re caught in…
No! Once you’re caught in possession of stolen property you forfeit it whether you are innocent or not. That is the best way to discourage others from such criminal activities. If Ruto gets to keep this property under the guise of buying it “again”, that will set the wrong precedence and send the wrong message. That if you get hold of some public land, develop it and claim that you are an innocent buyer, you get to buy it; and through corruption, you may buy for next to nothing. Think about it; what if Ruto actually never bought this property from the imaginary seller that he keeps throwing around? What is the name of the person who sold the land to him? If the Kenya Civil Authority has owned the said property for decades, why was this not available information to Ruto before buying. Ruto never bought this land from anybody, he grabbed it. The alleged seller is Ruto’s imagination; a get out of jail card. Ruto should walk away with nothing out of this deal in the interest of Justice. If not, many others will come up with similar stories in order to save their grabbed properties.
Why not demolish the…
Why not demolish the building just like the others? No body sold the land to Ruto, he’s never named a seller. Don’t give Ruto any preferential treatment.
Why are some thieves treated…
Why are some thieves treated differently. A thief is a thief. A crime against the people of Kenya has occurred. The fleecing of Kenyans should stop right now. If other people’s properties are being demolished this property should face the same fate. He is not special. This is called corruption.
Handling stallen property is…
Handling stallen property is crime ,don’t treat some thievies with specialness .Arab mashamba should pass through prison why bend the law to looters my friend ?
Give him 30 days to vacate…
Give him 30 days to vacate the premises and if the government want to accord Mr.Ruto special treatment that is not accorded to other Kenyans..I say Burn it down..??..No one is above the law.