EDITORIAL: All must back speedy Ruaraka land probe

Readers must be wondering why the Daily Nation has gone hammer and tongs after the Ruaraka scandal involving the purported sale of land to the Ministry of Education for Ruaraka Secondary School and Primary School on Thika Road. They must have been puzzled that the other transactions – one involving the office of the President for the General Service Unit and two others involving the expansion of roads – 1965 – 1965 May 11, Justice Joseph Sergon of the High Court issued a permanent injunction barring the Nation from reporting matters to do with Afrison Import and Export, Huelands Ltd. and Whispering Palms Estate Ltd. These are the companies that were or were involved in the development of the property.

The Ruaraka land transactions are a nightmare. Because the original decisions have been taken more than 30 years ago, the state of our records has become more important, because of the large number of cases that have taken place, key facts and figures are shrouded in the mists of time. Equally, the corruption of astronomical sums of money involved the government of the United States. Many powerful people are implicated in these scandals. The fears to save them are undermining the cause of justice and the ability of the media to report freely.

The National Land Commission, the Education Ministry, the Judiciary and the National Treasury all stand accused by Parliament of complicity.

Even more seriously, the case is becoming established, and the situation is increasingly well established. President Uhuru Kenyatta and Deputy President William Ruto, whose supporters see him on the road to corruption. Unfortunately, some institutions are quietly being accused of being allowed to be used in the furtherance of political designs therein. The The Daily Nation would be the first to admit that there two sides to this argument. There are those who believe that the property is private and their decisions or advice on that. They argue that Afrison and Hueland did not sign a deed of surrender. There is also a finding by Judge Alfred Mabeya, who was released from the United States of America by the United Kingdom, and was granted a grant by the United States of America.

It can not be denied, that, there is a lot in these transactions that is convoluted and fishy and that they involve many shady characters. Why were not the interests of depositors, whose money Afrison took in 1981, and not protected? If the charge has been removed, who was paid in 1981? Why did not the voice of the official receiver of Continental Credit Finance be heard? What about the depositors and their successors? Who is standing up for the millions of shillings? Why has the government, over and over again, paid Afrison rather than the official receiver?

Surrender of land for infrastructure is not just a volitional, procedural issue; it is a legal requirement. Afrison is not above the law. Where is the land that was surrendered for utilities in the development of the 196-unit that was built on the Ruaraka land and sold – twice – to the government? The 1965 Can. a scandal, should complete its investigations and furnish the Director of Public Prosecutions with the evidence and facts. The DPP, for his part, should not prevaricate: The endless ping pong of the school land between the DPP and EACC should end. The DPP should decide if he has a questionable case and if so, who is guilty.

The President, DP, Cabinet, all falling institutions, long-serving taxpayers, civil society and all people of goodwill resolution of this issue.