EACC wins bid to recover Ksh426.8M assets from former Kilifi land registrar

The High Court in Nairobi has ordered the seizure of assets belonging to a former Kilifi Land Registrar, his wife, and two associated companies, after ruling that their unexplained wealth amounted to over Sh426.8 million. Felix Mecha Nyakundi, a Principal Land Registrar, and his spouse Stellah Nyaboke Otwori faced charges under the Anti-Corruption and Economic Crimes Act.

The decision, rendered on September 18, 2026, followed a complaint from the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) on May 19, 2025. The EACC sought to investigate over Sh467.7 million in transactions and properties linked to the defendants. The court found that Nyakundi, during his tenure as a Land Registrar, granted public land to his wife, who was not among the eligible beneficiaries.

Nyaboke was awarded nine plots, including in Kilifi/Chakama Phase II, Malindi/Chakama Phase I, and Mavueni B Settlement Scheme. The EACC demonstrated that Nyakundi earned a net salary of Sh5.4 million and allowances totaling Sh2.3 million between 2013 and 2024, which did not account for their amassed wealth. Additionally, the court determined that The Bantu Hotel & Resort Company Limited and Festemagra Investment Limited, both founded in 2017 and 2015 respectively, were directly involved in acquiring the forfeit assets.

Among the forfeited assets were multiple parcels of land, three motor vehicles, and substantial cash amounts held in bank and M-Pesa accounts. The court ruled that while the defendants' positions did not qualify them for direct criminal punishment, their actions constituted corrupt conduct, warranting the forfeiture of their assets.