The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has recovered a 2.7-acre public school playground in Kikuyu, Kiambu County, after a court ruled that the land was public property and that its registration in the name of a church women’s group was irregular and fraudulent.
In a judgment delivered on Oct. 5, the Environment and Land Court at Thika found that Title No. KARAI/KARAI/350 was public land reserved as a playground for Kanyiha, Lusigetti and Njumbi Primary Schools.
The court declared the allocation and registration of the land in the name of the Presbyterian Church of East Africa (PCEA) Ruguthi Women’s Guild “illegal, null and void.” It affirmed that the property is held in trust for the three public schools.
The case was filed by the Law Society of Kenya (LSK), with EACC participating as an Interested Party. The Commission presented evidence that the land had been reserved for public use and was irregularly allocated.
According to EACC, its investigations established that the former County Council of Kiambu set the land aside in 1957 for use as a school playing field. Investigators further found no letter of offer or acceptance, no evidence that rent or rates were paid, and no proof that the Women’s Guild paid any consideration to the former council for the land.
The Commission said the judgment safeguards a facility used by more than 1,300 pupils, ensuring the playground “remains available for learning, sports and recreation for current and future generations.”
“EACC remains committed to protecting public property and ensuring that public resources are preserved for the benefit of all Kenyans,” said the statement, signed by Stephen K. Karuga, the Commission’s Head of Corporate Affairs and Communication.
