The National Land Commission (NLC) has launched a probe over alleged land grabbing of four acres piece of public land along Ngong Road by private developers, The Informer can authoritatively reveal.
According to a petition to NLC in our possession, the late property tycoon and billionaire Harban Singh is accused of grabbing the Kenya Railways land and demolished Kenya Railways senior staff housing before securing the area way back in 1999.
According to the petition received by former NLC chairman Gershom Otachi’s predecessor, Muhammad Swazuri on September 23, 2016, Harban is said to have acquired the land through two proxy companies identified as Excel Enterprises Limited and Piccadilly Holding Limited.
Consequently, Swazuri directed the director of legal and enforcement of the commission to commence investigations and file the report back immediately.
“Enclosed is a report from a complainant. Kindly investigate and give us a report.” Swazuri instructed through a letter reference number NLC/Chairman/Vol.XVII/287 dated September 26, 2016.
The blow by blow whistleblowing letter of illegal acquisition of the Kenya railways land bearing original LR.NO.209/391 along Ngong Road, Rose Avenue junction is currently registered under Piccadillay Holdings Limited.
Investigators are seeking to establish how the public land was allegedly surrendered by the government as a grant to a private developer as indicated in the questionable certificates of titles namely L.R No.209/19886, 209/198867and 209/19888 all registered under Piccadilly Holdings Limited.
The commission has also questioned the authenticity of the three certificates of titles.
When reached for comment, Harbans Singh son Mandip Singh Amrit alias Kaku did not respond to phone calls and email queries by the time of going to publication.
The late billionaire had fenced off part of the playground for the Langata Road Primary School adjacent to Weston Hotel owned by Deputy President William Ruto, a move that attracted widespread condemnation from the public.
Harban’s interests range from construction, aviation, horticulture, property, tourism industry and fishing just to name a few.
Our investigations established that the original L.R number was 209/391 and the mother title is not reflected in the subsequent three subdivisions.
The said private developers are also said to have forged a deed plan.
“Upon perusal of the Deed Plan attached on the Mother Title, it is clear the same is defective and requires closer investigations. Further, the property was initially transferred from Kenya Railways to Excel Enterprises who should have been the ones to benefit from the surrender to the government registered as LR.No. 20006/8 but the records purports to have Piccadilly as the owners of the property from January 1st 1932 and purports to have acquired it through a surrender as LR No. 20006/8 which is questionable as the property was already owned by Excel Enterprises, a private company.” The petition obtained by The Informer reads in part.
Harban who was accused of grabbing Lang’ata Primary School playground died in March this year after he allegedly fell and injured his head
“On or about 1999, the property subject matter of this letter was acquired by Harbans Singh associates in Westlands who demolished the Kenya railways senior staff housing and secured the area. The said firm took the materials used in the houses and quietly transported them to the main office garage in Westlands and other materials 9tiles, timber and others roofing materials) were transported to Aquila Flower Farm in Naivasha for private use.” The whistleblowing petition reads in part.
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