Eight suspects including a lands officer and police officer were on Wednesday detained for 10 days to allow police complete investigations into an alleged land fraud syndicate.
Emmanuel Matheka who works at the Ministry of Lands, Livingston Ambayi a cop and Leonard Clifford who works at the Government Press are among the eight suspects who were detained by the court.
They are accused of being involved in land fraud and forging title deeds.
The charges under investigation include conspiracy to defraud, forgery, making false documents, obtaining registration by false pretenses, abuse of office, and fraud.
Delivering her ruling, Milimani Court Principal Magistrate Rose Ndombi found merit in the prosecution’s request. She noted that the charges under investigation were serious and that there was a significant likelihood the suspects could interfere with witnesses or crucial evidence.
“Having carefully considered the matter before me, I find the application justified. I direct that the eight respondents be detained at Muthaiga and Ruaraka police stations, as capacity allows, for a period not exceeding 10 days,” Magistrate Ndombi ruled.
According to Investigating Officer Nicolaus Osuri Otieno, searches conducted at the suspects’ offices and residences led to the discovery of forged land certificates, leases, title deeds, land transfer documents, allotment letters, and counterfeit stamps.
The recovered stamps were found to bear official markings from the State Department for Lands and Physical Planning, land registrars, land administrators, advocates, and the county governments of Kiambu and Nakuru. However, authorities confirmed that none of the arrested individuals held such official designations.
During the earlier court proceedings, the prosecution had argued against granting bail, stating that the suspects could interfere with ongoing investigations. The prosecution had initially requested 14 days to conclude their inquiries.
In response, the defense opposed the application, contending that the prosecution had failed to prove the suspects were a flight risk or that they would tamper with evidence.
The case is scheduled for mention on April 11 for further directions.
