Former Lands Commission Chair Muhammad Swazuri Arrested over Sh100 Million Scam

Detectives from the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) on Wednesday arrested former National Lands Commission (NLC) chairman Muhammad Swazuri.

Swazuri was arrested alongside several other suspects over a land compensation scam.

The suspects are accused of making irregular compensation amounting to Sh109 million for the land meant for the construction of the Mombasa Southern Bypass and the Kipevu New Highway Container Terminal Link.

The Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) Noordin Haji says they will be charged with abuse office, conspiracy to commit economic crimes, money laundering, financial misconduct, handling stolen property, among others.

Investigators established that the land owned by Tornado Carriers Limited was valued at Sh34.5 million in 2015 but the commission ended up paying Sh109.7 million after Swazuri ordered a second valuation.

In August last year, Swazuri alongside Kenya Railways Corporation boss Atanas Maina and five others were arrested and charged over the fraudulent compensations for land meant for the building of the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR).