Powerful land ‘Lords’ justice Mutunga cautioned Swazuri over

Kenyans today woke to the news that the very powerful former National lands commission boss Mohamed Swazuri has been arrested alongside other officials.

Their arrests were occasioned by illegal compensation of land which was acquired by the commission in the construction of a road in Mombasa

“You must have a stiff spine and a cool head, guided by the Constitution. The intricate web and reach of interests around the land are powerful and smart. The sheer struggle to have you sworn in today is a foretaste of the weight and perils of your assignment.”

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These words were uttered by the then Chief Justice Willy Mutunga, during the swearing-in of National Land Commission members on February 27, 2013.

The nine-member team, chaired by Muhammad Swazuri, also comprised vice chair Abigael Mbagaya, Abdulkadir Khalif, Clement Lenachuru, Emma Njogu, Rose Musyoka, Samuel Tororei, Silas Kinoti, and Tomiik Konyimbih. Tom Chavangi served as the CEO and secretary to the commission.

“My plea to you is not to allow the National Land Commission to be reduced to a theatre of the absurd,” Mutunga.

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If only Swazuri listened to justice Mutunga’s wise words, perhaps his head would be high and not low right now.

Detectives from the Ethics and Anti Corruption Commission (EACC) arrested the officials from their homes on Wednesday Morning.

They will be charged with abuse office, conspiracy to commit economic crimes, money laundering among other charges according to a statement from the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) office.

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