Former civil servant, John Michael Ohas has filed a case against Mathira MP, Rigathi Gachagua claiming that a plot near Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA)owned by Rigathi was given to him by former President Daniel arap Moi in 1994.
In the suit that is still pending before the Environment and Land Court, Ohas, a former director of Physical Planning at the Land Ministry claimed that the title deed was registered under Wamunyoro Investment Limited, a company linked to the MP which acquired the documents in an illegal way.
According to the statement by Ohas, he was among the four allottees who include former minister Taita Towett, Francis Maritim, and Afro-Anglo Investment.
Through his lawyer, Ohas claimed the land was allocated to him through a company he owned called Columbus Two Thousand Limited. He alleges he later paid Sh 50,000 in 1996 May to indicate he had accepted the offer.
Ohas says he later reached out to the director of survey and licensed surveyor G.O. Wayumba who processed for him a title deed.
In 1996, Ohas claims he fell ill and boarded a flight to the United Kingdom for specialised treatment, and while he was away Rigathi with help of the land ministry forged a letter and acquired the land.
Ohas also added that while his family was in great need of money for his treatment, they tried to sell the land but were chased away by hired goons.
Further, Ohas claimed that the plot was transferred to Karandi Farm Ltd for Sh 24 million. He alleged that those who signed the deal as directors of Karandi Farm Ltd were the MP and his wife.
Ohas has reported the matter to the land ministry and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI). The DCI later established fraud in the land issue and instructed the Department of Land to recommend the cancellation of the fraudulent title deed and issue a genuine one to Columbus Two Thousand Ltd.