The Nation Africa has brought to light a deeply troubling scandal involving the alleged embezzlement of Sh2.7 billion meant for landowners affected by the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) project in Embakasi South.
At the centre of the allegations is Principal Secretary Nixon Korir, who is accused of playing a key role in diverting funds meant to compensate families displaced from the Dupoto/Dafur Welfare Settlement Scheme.
According to multiple reports, including a formal petition submitted to investigative authorities, Korir allegedly orchestrated a scheme to siphon public funds using fake agreements and law firm proxies.
Former Lang’ata MP Nixon Korir in an earlier event. He gets to lead Langata residents as Court of Appeal said he was validly elected. [File, Standard]
A headline screenshot from Nation Africa.
But instead of the money going to the rightful landowners, only a small fraction reportedly reached them. Most families received under Sh250,000 each, while large amounts were redirected to individuals and law firms through questionable transactions.
It is alleged that PS Korir appointed Johnson & Partners LLP to control the compensation money, a move that helped him and his allies route millions into private hands.
Over Sh300 million is said to have been stolen through proxies, and he allegedly pressured the affected community to abandon their court case that sought justice.
Lands and Physical Planning PS Nixon Korir speaks in Narok during the issuance of title deeds on May 2, 2023. PHOTO | COURTESY
The petition submitted on March 10, 2025, accuses other powerful figures as well. Narok South MP Sylvester Ntutu is said to have received Sh250 million, and Johnson Osoi of Johnson & Partners LLP allegedly paid Sh170 million to his wife or mistress.
Several law firms were mentioned in the scandal, with Nick Ndenda & Associates alone reportedly receiving over Sh712 million. Other firms include Moinket & Co. Advocates, Kemosi Mogaka & Co., Cheboi Ouma & Co., and Kipkenda & Co., among others. These firms are suspected of inflating legal fees and withdrawing huge sums without delivering any meaningful service to the landowners.
The situation on the ground remains bleak. Families were violently evicted in December 2023 by armed police and bulldozers, leaving them without shelter. They were never given proper notice, and their land title still doesn’t appear in the Aridi Sasa platform, which raises questions about the legality of the acquisition.
As of April 16, 2025, there has been no official update on investigations from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC), or Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), despite the matter being formally presented to them more than a month earlier.
The affected community has held peaceful protests, demanding accountability. They continue to call for action from relevant authorities and have appealed to the public for support.
The slow response from government agencies has caused growing frustration, and many fear that the case could be buried like many others in Kenya’s history of land fraud.
The scandal is a reflection of a broken system where greed and corruption take precedence over the welfare of ordinary citizens. It highlights the urgent need for transparency in the management of compensation funds, especially in compulsory land acquisition processes.
This case will not only expose high-level theft but also show how the state machinery can be used to oppress and silence the very people it should protect.
