Samuel Maina Acting Managing Director of KBC.
In a heated session before the National Assembly’s Public Investments Committee on Social Services Administration and Agriculture, Mr. Samuel Maina, Acting Managing Director of Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (KBC), faced a barrage of questions regarding the status of the corporation’s land assets.
The committee, led by Hon. Emanuel Wangwe, scrutinized KBC’s land holdings, focusing on discrepancies between title deeds, allotment letters, and missing ownership documents. Out of 40 parcels owned, only 8 had clear title deeds, leaving the ownership of the remaining 32 parcels in doubt. Committee members, including Hon. Mary Wamaua and Hon. Caleb Amisi, raised concerns about 10 parcels not provided for audit, of which only one was under a court dispute.
Mr. Maina attempted to clarify the situation, detailing the various land holdings, including the 100 acres in Kerara, the 20 acres in Lang’ata near the Kenya School of Law facing land grabbing investigations, and the 23 acres in Nyali, among others. He also revealed that KBC had been leasing out lands in Kitale and Marina Meru for agricultural activities, with agreements fetching Ksh. 12,000 and Ksh. 38,000 per acre, respectively.
Shockingly, the Committee discovered that the land housing KBC headquarters in Nairobi was not registered under the Corporation’s name, raising further questions about the legitimacy of ownership.
Adding to the complexity, the Committee delved into the issue of five power generators, valued at Ksh. 29 million, loaned to KENGEN in 2000/2001, which had never been returned despite numerous reminders. The MD disclosed that the KBC Board had approved a write-off for the generators, a decision contested by Hon. Emanuel Wangwe and Hon. Peters Owino, citing legal requirements under the Public Procurement and Management (Pfm) Act.
As the Committee prepares for the next session, KBC’s land ownership remains a puzzle, underscoring the urgency for comprehensive investigations and clear resolutions.
