The government has been paying billions of shillings in compensation for its own land in questionable payouts by the National Lands Commission. The compensation, which involves the acquisition of land for public utilities, is allegedly a cash cow for well-connected individuals who fleece taxpayers. In 2018, former NLC chairman Muhammad Swazuri was among seven top government officials who were arrested over an allegedly fraudulent attempt to pay Sh2.8 billion compensation for the standard gauge railway land. MPs on Monday heard of yet another attempt to have the government spend Sh3.2 billion to acquire land belonging to the Kenya National Highways Authority. PAC chairman Opiyo Wandayi said the committee will summon the NLC to explain why they recommended compensation for land that belongs to the authority.

Source: The Star June 14, 2021 20:15 UTC