The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) has recommended charging former Ambassador Joshua Gatimu Igweta, after he was accused of stealing parcels of land.
According to the ODPP, Joshua Gatimu Igweta, who is the former ambassador of the Republic of Kenya to the Islamic Republic of Iran, is being charged after a comprehensive investigation.
Additionally, Igweta has been accused of stealing several parcels of land, including a piece of land belonging to a dead man.
The investigation began after the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions received several complaints about the former ambassador taking away land belonging vulnerable Kenyans.
“The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) received an inquiry related to allegations of illegal land possession involving parcel Meru/Akaiga/1405 by Mr. Joshua Gatimu Igweta, the former ambassador of the Republic of Kenya to the Islamic Republic of Iran,” ODPP stated.
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Accusations Against the Former Ambassador
Further, after conducting investigations, the ODPP and the Directorate of Criminal investigations (DCI) determined that there were two parcels of land in Meru County involved in the case.
The first parcel of land was illegally transferred to the former ambassador, while the second piece of land had been obtained by the former ambassador, even though the name of the deceased man, was still noted as the owner in the title deed.
“Upon completing the investigations, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) submitted the inquiry file to our office for perusal and consideration.
Moreover, the investigations revealed the existence of two parcels of land namely: Parcel No. Meru/Akaiga/1405 and Parcel No. Meru/Akaiga/4522, both originating from Meru/Akaiga/381.
“Parcel No. Meru/Akaiga/1405 was transferred to M’Mwithimbu M’arachi by Igweta Itaru, and Joshua Gatimu Igweta (the suspect) is currently in illegal possession of it.
In 2019, Joshua Gatimu Igweta obtained another title for Parcel No. Meru/Akaiga/4522 in his name, even though a title in the name of Igweta Itaru still existed,” a statement from ODPP added.
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ODPP Lists Charges Against Joshua Gatimu Igweta
Consequently, the ODPP has charged Joshua Gatimu Igweta, the former ambassador with forcible detainer, contrary to Section 91 of the Penal Code.
Also, he has been charged with obtaining land registration by false pretenses, contrary to Section 320 of the Penal Code, and the Intermeddling with property of a deceased person, contrary to Section 45(1) as read with sub-Section (2)(a) of the Law of Succession Act.
“The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) remains committed to executing its constitutional mandate in accordance with the rule of law and further, with due regard to the public interest, the administration of justice, and the prevention of abuse of the legal process.”
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