Former Tigania East Member of Parliament Josphat Gichuge Mwirabua has been arrested by officers in connection to a controversial land fraud scheme.

🇰🇪 Breaking It Down

The former lawmaker, popularly known as Kabeabea, was apprehended by officers from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) on allegations of defrauding investors of more than Ksh56 million.

Mwibarua, who previously served as chairman of the Anti-Counterfeit Authority (ACA), was apprehended by officers from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) Headquarters' Land Fraud Investigations Unit (LFIU) following investigations into multiple complaints linked to land sales in Kajiado County.

According to the DCI, the first case dates back to 2016 when several investors purchased plots measuring 50 by 100 feet via an agency. The buyers entered into separate sale agreements with the company and made payments directly into accounts associated with the suspect.

📌 What You Need to Know

Investigators say the victims collectively paid approximately Ksh16.4 million for the parcels, but later discovered that the land on which the plots were allegedly located had been transferred to other individuals without their knowledge.

The subdivision of the land was also reportedly undertaken without the consent of the buyers.

After noticing they had been duped, the affected investors subsequently reported the matter, triggering investigations by the DCI.

"Following a thorough investigation, the findings were compiled and sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP). Upon review, the DPP agreed with the investigators' recommendations to charge the suspect with the offence of Obtaining Money by False Pretences," DCI said in a statement.

The case file has since been forwarded to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), which approved charges of obtaining money by false pretences against the former MP.

Incidentally, Mwirabua is also accused of using his company to advertise land parcels in Kajiado that were allegedly to be developed with greenhouses.

📰 Source: Kenyans.co.ke