Ex-Tigania East MP Josphat Gichuge Arrested in KSh56 Million Land Scam Probe

Ex-Tigania East MP Josphat Gichuge Arrested in KSh56 Million Land Scam Probe

NAIROBI, Kenya — Former Tigania East Member of Parliament Josphat Gichuge Mwirabua, popularly known as “Kabeabea,” has been arrested by detectives investigating an alleged multi-million-shilling land fraud scheme that reportedly left dozens of investors counting heavy losses.

The former legislator was apprehended by officers from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) following investigations into complaints linked to disputed land transactions in Kajiado County. Authorities allege that investors lost more than KSh56 million through projects associated with the former lawmaker and companies linked to him.

The arrest marks a significant development in a case that has been under investigation for several years and involves allegations of obtaining money by false pretences, fraudulent land sales, and unfulfilled investment promises.

According to the DCI, detectives from the Land Fraud Investigations Unit (LFIU) at DCI Headquarters carried out the arrest after gathering evidence from multiple complainants who claimed they had been misled into purchasing land parcels that were never transferred to them.

Investigators say the first case dates back to 2016 when a group of investors purchased plots measuring 50 by 100 feet through a land-selling agency. The buyers reportedly entered into separate sale agreements and made payments into accounts associated with the suspect.

Authorities allege that the victims collectively paid approximately KSh16.4 million for the parcels, believing they would eventually receive ownership documents and possession of the land.

However, investigators later established that the property in question had allegedly been transferred to other individuals without the knowledge or consent of the original buyers.

The DCI further claims that the land was subdivided without involving the investors, effectively denying them the benefits they had paid for.

After discovering the alleged irregularities, the affected buyers filed complaints with law enforcement agencies, prompting a formal investigation.

“Following a thorough investigation, the findings were compiled and sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP). Upon review, the DPP agreed with the investigators’ recommendations to charge the suspect with the offence of Obtaining Money by False Pretences,” the DCI stated.

The matter was subsequently forwarded to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), which approved criminal charges against the former MP.

In a separate but related case, Mwirabua is accused of marketing additional parcels of land in Kajiado County through a company that allegedly promised investors agricultural development opportunities, including the installation of commercial greenhouses.

Investigators say investors were persuaded to contribute funds after being assured that the land would be developed and accompanied by valid title deeds.

According to the DCI, the investors collectively injected approximately KSh40.14 million into the project.

However, authorities allege that the promised title deeds were never transferred and that the proposed greenhouse developments were never established.

The second investigation also resulted in recommendations for prosecution, which were approved by the Director of Public Prosecutions.

Court records indicate that the former lawmaker had previously been summoned to appear before the court regarding the allegations. However, investigators claim he failed to honour the summons, prompting the Chief Magistrate’s Court in Kajiado to issue a warrant for his arrest.

Detectives eventually tracked him down and arrested him on Tuesday, June 9.

The case is expected to attract significant public attention due to the amount of money involved and the former legislator’s political profile.

Mwirabua served as the Member of Parliament for Tigania East between 2007 and 2013 after winning the seat during the 2007 General Election on the Party of National Unity (PNU) ticket, the political outfit that supported former President Mwai Kibaki.

As investigations continue and court proceedings begin, authorities have urged members of the public to exercise caution when investing in land transactions and to conduct thorough due diligence before committing funds to property ventures.

The arrest underscores the growing crackdown on land fraud schemes, which remain among the most common forms of economic crime reported to investigative agencies in Kenya.

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Ex-Tigania East MP Josphat Gichuge Arrested in KSh56 Million Land Scam Probe