Friday, October 06, 2006

Kitale Prison Land List of Shame

On 4 Octobe 2006 the Vice-President and Minster for home affairs Moody Awori tabled in Parliament the list of 204 people said to have been allocated the controversial Kitale Prison land measuring 2,094 acres two decades ago. The beneficiaries were mainly top officials in the former President Moi's administration. The land was subdivided into 204 parcels of land and distributed to the beneficiaries. The release of this list of shame is welcome.

The allottees, Mr Awori said, include politicians, former diplomats, an ex-judge, military and police officers, parastatal heads as well as provincial and district commissioners.

The main beneficiaries were named as former Chief of General Staff Daudi Tonje, who is said to have been given 20.23 hectares, civil aviation director Chris Kuto (1.67), former nominated MP Mark Too (28), former presidential escort director Samson Cheramboss (12.14) and Mr Stanley Manyinya (eight).

Ex-judge Alex Etyang received eight hectares, former diplomat George Nadada Oimino Agoi (six hectares), senior military officer Moses Yatur (eight) and colleague Hezron Ambundo Murungu (six).

Others were former Kenya Seed Company managing director Nathaniel Tum, who got 22 hectares as well as provincial commissioners Peter Kiilu (four), William Changole (four), Amos Bore (24.23 hectares for two parcels), Nicholas Mberia (8.89) and Ishmael Chelang'a (three).

The Harambee Savings and Credit Cooperative Society was also given two parcels of six and two hectares.

Mr Awori said that the Government would act on the deal according to recommendations in the Ndung'u report on irregularly allocated public land. In the past the government has asked the beneficiaries of illegal land allotment to surrender their plots and forego prosecution.

As expected those mentioned are already daring the government to reposses their land swearing not to surrender their parcels of land. They maintain that the land was distributed to them legally. They have vowed to defend their property in court of law.

The posturing by these Kings of corruption confirms the magnitude of the task of fighting corruption facing the government. The government, however, should not relent. It should face the culprits at whatever arena they want to defend themselves. After all, just like other citizens they have a right to defend themselves in a court of law. The people should, however, give the government their support and deprive the culprits any ethnic community support and sympathy.

1 comment:

Max M said...

These suspects sit pretty knowing the public is easily manipulated through ethnic posturing. For so long as the public is willing to protect "their own thieves" the fight against corruption will never start, let alone be won.