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Members of Parliament (MPs) yesterday directed commissioners of the National Land Commission record statements with investigating authorities over their interest in a piece of land adjacent to Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC).

The High Court had directed the commission allocates the land which is occupied by Garden Square Restaurant to whoever applied for it but the latter opted to write to the Nairobi County government seeking authority to proceed with the process.

The Environment and Land Court in a ruling delivered on June 30, 2022, declared that the land occupied by the restaurant is un-alienated public land and directed that the commission consider applications for allocation of the said land by KICC and Garden Square restaurant in line with the Land Act.

But yesterday members of the Public Investments Committee, Commercial Affairs and Energy questioned the commission’s move to cede powers to the county government.

“The commissioners must come out clear on their interest in the land. The High Court pronounced itself on the matter that the commission allocates the land, why involve the Nairobi County?” posed committee chairman David Pkosing.

He said the actions by the commission were a deliberate move to frustrate KICC from acquiring the land in question.

Posed Pkosing, “How can the commission interpret a court decision in the interests of other entities? The Court told the commission to allocate based on the law and KICC made a request, the reason why the commission engaged the county government can therefore not be explained.”

The KICC sent a request to be allocated the piece of land in 2022 but the commission has not responded to date.

The committee further directed the commission not to carry out any transaction or allocate the land in question until after parliament gives the way forward.

Minority Leader Opiyo Wandayi questioned why it took the commission so long to write to the Nairobi County government even after parliament gave directions.

Wandayi further claimed that there have been attempts by powerful individuals to grab the piece of land measuring one and a half acres.

Kasarani MP Ronald Karauri said the piece of land was once registered under the name of the late President Daniel Moi and former Kanu Secretary General Peter Oloo Aringo.

“The piece of land has been allocated since the revocation of the land, no one should claim ownership,” said Karauri.

Commissioner Reginald Okumu defended the commission saying it had no mischief and that they were ready to allocate the land as directed by the court.

“We are ready to adhere to the law however no one has sought to be allocated since the court ruling was made,” Okumu said.

But Pkosing maintained that the commission was convoluted and had other interests and not those of the public.

“In our view the whole issue is suspect, the commission is working for cartels and not the public which is their mandate,” Pkosing added. Report by the Auditor General for the year ending June 2021 in particular raises questions about land commonly referred to as COMESA parking area and Courtyard.