EACC Recovers 2.7-Acre School Playground in Kikuyu After Court Cancels Church Group’s Title
The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has recovered a 2.7-acre public school playground in Kikuyu following a court ruling that declared its registration under the Presbyterian Church of East Africa (PCEA) Ruguthi Women’s Guild illegal and fraudulent.
The Environment and Land Court at Thika ruled that the disputed parcel was public land reserved for use by Kanyiha, Lusigetti and Njumbi Primary Schools.
In its judgment delivered on October 5, 2026, the court declared that the allocation and registration of the land in the Women’s Guild’s name were unlawful, null and void.
The property, registered as Title No. KARAI/KARAI/350, was originally set aside in 1957 by the former County Council of Kiambu for use as a school playing field.
The case was filed by the Law Society of Kenya (LSK), with the EACC participating as an interested party in the proceedings.
According to the anti-graft agency, investigations established that there was no letter of offer or acceptance to support the allocation of the land to the Women’s Guild.
Investigators also found no evidence that the group had paid rent, land rates or any other consideration to the former county council for the property.
The commission presented evidence to demonstrate that the land had been reserved for public use and could not lawfully be allocated to a private entity.
Court Protects Land for More Than 1,300 Pupils
The ruling safeguards a critical educational facility serving more than 1,300 pupils from the three public primary schools.
The EACC said the judgment would ensure the playground remains available for learning, sports and recreational activities for current and future generations.
The court’s decision effectively protects the schools’ access to the land and prevents its private occupation or development in a manner that would interfere with its intended public purpose.
The commission welcomed the ruling, reaffirming its commitment to recovering illegally acquired public property and ensuring that public resources are preserved for the benefit of Kenyans.
The recovery underscores ongoing efforts by authorities to protect public land and hold accountable those involved in irregular allocations.
For the pupils and school communities in Kikuyu, the decision secures a playground that has been designated for their use for decades, preserving an important space for physical education, recreation and school activities.
