Deputy President William Ruto, speaking on BBC HARDtalk show has admitted that his Nairobi-based four-star hotel was indeed, illegally acquired.
He however quickly clarified that albeit illegally acquired, the acquisition was not done by him but its original owners, who he revealed were the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA).
The DP supported his argument, claiming he was an “innocent” purchaser of the land.
“[the land was] Not bought illegally. In fact, for the record, the National Land Commission (NLC) has made a finding that Weston was an innocent purchaser for value from somebody who got it illegally, and preparations have been made constitutionally to restore that land to Kenya Civil Aviation Authority by demanding that those who sold the land to us must pay,” said Ruto.
Ruto’s lawyer, Ahmed Abdullahi earlier told the national land commissioners that Mr Ruto acquired the land in 2007 for Ksh.10 million from Priority Management Ltd and Monene Investments Limited.