The High Court has slammed the brakes on Mandera Governor Mohamed Adan Khalif’s multi-million shilling real estate project in Nairobi’s Parklands, freezing the property suspected to be proceeds of corruption.

Justice Teresa Murigi’s preservation orders mark a significant escalation in the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission’s (EACC) tightening noose around county bosses. The ruling effectively paralyzes the development of the high-rise flats on land allegedly grabbed from a public utility, signaling the judiciary’s resolve to recover public assets.

The Anatomy of an Alleged Grab

The property in question, L.R.)No. 209/21526 (formerly L.R. No. 209/12673), is situated in the prime Parklands suburb, an area that has become a magnet for controversial high-density developments. According to court documents, the EACC contends that this land was originally reserved for the North Highridge Primary School and a social hall, a vital community lung now threatened by concrete encroachment.

Governor Khalif, listed as the fourth respondent, is accused of benefiting from a fraudulent scheme where public land was illegally alienated and transferred to private hands. "The preservation orders are necessary to prevent the dissipation of the asset pending the determination of the forfeiture suit," Justice Murigi ruled, barring the governor, his agents, or any entity from selling, developing, or transferring the property for the next six months.

• The Freeze: The order strictly prohibits any excavation, construction, or occupation of the flats.
• The Stakes: The EACC is seeking to recover the land and return it to the public, citing a gross violation of the Anti-Corruption and Economic Crimes Act.
• The Timeline: The matter is slated for a high-stakes inter partes hearing on March 5, 2026.

A Pattern of Impunity?

This case is not an isolated incident but part of a disturbing trend where devolved unit heads are increasingly flagged for unexplained wealth accumulated in the capital. The commission’s dossier suggests that the Governor acquired the property through a web of transactions designed to obscure its illicit origins.

For the residents of Parklands, the court's intervention offers a glimmer of hope in their long-running battle against irregular developments that strain local infrastructure. "We are watching to see if the rule of law will finally trump political influence," said a representative of the neighborhood association.