A faction of the Dupoto settlement scheme members in Nairobi has dismissed claims by another group alleging misappropriation of money meant for compensation of their land.
This follows an earlier claim by another group that called
for investigations into several individuals over the alleged misappropriation
of Sh2.7 billion meant for their compensation following the acquisition of
their land in Embakasi South.
A faction called Dupoto Dafur Settlement Welfare Society
wrote to various government agencies to dispute earlier claims by another.
Three officials claimed in the letter dated March 13 that they
represent many other members of the scheme.
They claimed their scheme or any of their registered members
has not issued instructions to anyone to act for them and/or write any letter
on their behalf.
“That none of our registered members were at any time
illegally and/or forcefully evicted from our land in Embakasi as alleged in the
aforesaid letter. That our settlement scheme voluntarily and lawfully sold its
land to the Kenya Railway Corporation with the full consent and knowledge of
all the registered members on a willing buyer and willing seller basis.”
“That our registered members moved out of the land willingly
and without any coercion, threats, or force and therefore were not illegally or
forcefully evicted as alleged. That no public funds or any funds meant for our
scheme or its registered members were lost, embezzled or misappropriated and we
have no claim against the Kenya Railway Corporation,” the letter said in part.
They added that all the allegations made in the aforesaid letter are baseless, unfounded and mere fabrications.
“That we, the officials and our registered members are willing and ready to give further information or clarify any issue any time if called upon.”
The letter was signed by Likam ole Kiambu (chairman), John
Karu (secretary) and Victor Ochieng (treasurer).
The letter was received by the Director of Public Prosecutions, the Ethics and Anti Corruption Commission and the Director of Criminal Investigations.
The other group, through their lawyer Thomas Letangule
claimed they were forcefully evicted from land they had occupied for over 30
years without proper compensation.
They marched to various offices, including the DCI, where
they submitted a petition seeking investigations into the alleged misuse of
funds.
They further claim that another law firm was appointed to receive
the compensation funds instead of Letangule and Company Advocates.
According to the petition, all key documents, including lease and offer letters, were signed in a government office.
In 2024, the members filed a case in the Environment and
Lands Court seeking to stop KRC and the National Land Commission (NLC) from
making any payments related to the compulsory acquisition of their land.
They argued that despite relocating with the promise of
receiving their compensation, they had not been paid the remaining amount.
However, they later withdrew the case.
They argue that despite agreeing to withdraw their case, the
government has failed to honor its promise.
