Activist and Jubilee-affiliated politician Morara Kebaso has come to the defence of former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i amid renewed scrutiny over the controversial Ruaraka land compensation saga.
Kebaso challenged the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) to widen its investigations into the Sh1.5 billion compensation paid over land occupied by Ruaraka High School and Drive-In Primary School.
Kebaso claimed that former Education Principal Secretary Belio Kipsang and President William Ruto were among the two people who could provide answers about the whereabouts of the mony linked to the disputed transaction.
“In this whole world there are two people who know everything about where the Ruaraka Land money is. BELIO KIPSANG and WILLIAM RUTO,” Kebaso stated.
He urged EACC to investigate the financial records of the two individuals if the anti-corruption agency was genuinely committed to establishing what happened to the funds.
“EACC if you are serious go into the bank accounts of these two individuals. Drama na vipindi for politics itaisha hapo hapo,” he added.
Kebaso's remarks come as EACC intensifies efforts to recover money paid out in the Ruaraka land transaction following a recent Court of Appeal decision that affirmed the disputed land was public property.
The court ruled that the approximately 13.5-acre parcel occupied by the two schools had already been surrendered to the Government as part of conditions attached to subdivision approval.
As a result, the Government could not subsequently treat the land as private property requiring compulsory acquisition and compensation.
EACC has subsequently moved to recover the money paid to private entities linked to the transaction, with recent reports indicating that the commission has issued demands involving approximately Sh2.5 billion, including interest.
The latest action has also drawn former government officials, including Matiang’i and Kipsang, into renewed public scrutiny. However, being mentioned in an investigation or recovery process does not by itself establish criminal liability.
Kebaso's intervention appears aimed at shifting attention towards those he believes should provide answers about the handling of the funds rather than allowing the controversy to centre on Matiang’i.
He further warned that if EACC failed to investigate what he described as the key financial trail, he would undertake his own inquiry.
“If you don’t do it; I will do it myself and give Kenyans the truth,” Kebaso said.
His comments are likely to intensify political debate surrounding the Ruaraka land saga, which has become one of Kenya's most closely watched public finance and land controversies.
The matter remains subject to further legal proceedings, including efforts to recover the disputed funds and possible consideration of criminal liability by the relevant authorities.