EACC recovers 2.7-acre school playground in Kikuyu following court ruling

The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has recovered a 2.7-acre public school playground in Kikuyu, Kiambu County, following a court ruling that declared its allocation and registration to the Presbyterian Church of East Africa (PCEA) Ruguthi Women’s Guild illegal and fraudulent.

In a statement issued on Monday, October 26, 2026, the commission said the Environment and Land Court at Thika, in a judgment delivered on October 5, affirmed that the land was public property reserved for Kanyihya, Lusigetti and Njumbi Primary Schools.

The court declared the allocation and registration of the property in the Women’s Guild’s name illegal, null and void, ruling that the land is held in trust for the three public schools.

The case was filed by the Law Society of Kenya (LSK), with EACC participating as an interested party. The commission presented evidence showing that the land had been reserved for public use before it was irregularly allocated.

According to EACC, investigations established that the former Kiambu County Council set aside the 2.7-acre parcel in 1957 for use as a school playing field.

Investigators further established that there was no letter of offer or acceptance, no evidence of payment of rent or rates, and no proof that the Women’s Guild had paid any consideration to the former county council for the land.

The court ruling safeguards a vital public facility used by more than 1,300 pupils, ensuring the playground remains available for learning, sports and recreation for current and future generations.

EACC reaffirmed its commitment to protecting public property and ensuring public resources are preserved for the benefit of all Kenyans.