Court Orders Ex-City Official to Pay Ksh.198M for Unlawful Wealth Acquisition
In a significant victory for the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC), the High Court has ruled that Michael Auka Ajwang, a former Nairobi County Purchasing Officer, must pay the government Ksh.198 million for unexplained wealth.
This ruling follows a prior court order in May 2023, which froze Ajwang’s assets after he failed to justify their sources.
Ajwang’s assets, including ten vehicles and nine parcels of land in Siaya and Kisumu counties, were scrutinized. One of the parcels hosts a luxurious hotel, which became the focal point of the court’s judgment.
The Deputy Registrar of the High Court, Adelaide Sisenda, ordered Ajwang to pay Ksh.22 million for a parcel of land in Siaya within 30 days and Ksh.176 million for the high-end hotel within 12 months.
Should Ajwang fail to make the payments, the court has authorized the EACC to seize 0.19 hectares of land in Kisumu, which houses the Hydeout Riviera Hotel, as part of the recovery process.
Additionally, the commission is allowed to collect the accrued interest at a rate of 12% per annum. Ajwang will also forfeit Ksh.799,000 previously seized from him by the commission.
This ruling marks a critical step in the ongoing efforts by the EACC to combat corruption and recover public funds.
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Court Orders Ex-City Official to Pay Ksh.198M for Unlawful Wealth Acquisition