The High Court in Nairobi has issued an order requiring the former Kilifi Lands Registrar, his wife, and companies affiliated with his family to surrender unexplained assets valued at Ksh. 426.8 million to the Government of Kenya.
According to official details released by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) on its official X account on Friday September 25,2026, the suit targets former Kilifi Principal Lands Registrar Felix Nyakundi alongside his wife, Stellah Otwori, and associated corporate entities following a graft probe into their wealth accumulation.
The anti-corruption watchdog pointed out that the former officer earned an official monthly salary ranging from Ksh 69,660 in 2013 to Ksh 115,630 in 2024, which could not justify the millions of shillings moving through his accounts.
“The purpose of a forfeiture order is to divest property owners of assets they are unable to demonstrate were lawfully acquired,” remarked High Court Judge Justice Musyoki during the delivery of the anti-corruption ruling.
High Court Ruling on Former Kilifi Lands Registrar
According to High Court Judge Justice Musyoki a detailed forensic analysis of the financial accounts revealed millions transacted through bank accounts and mobile money platforms, alongside real estate holdings and luxury vehicles linked directly to the former public officer and his immediate circle.
Among the specific sums declared as unexplained assets were Ksh. 50.39 million held in Nyakundi’s Co-operative Bank account, Ksh. 16.32 million in his NCBA account, and over Ksh. 37 million transacted across two separate M-Pesa mobile money accounts registered under his name.
Court filings further detailed high sums of money were traced through his wife’s bank and mobile money accounts, including multiple Equity Bank and Equity Investment Bank deposits totaling tens of millions, alongside Ksh. 14.22 million transacted via her M-Pesa account.
Additionally, cash amounting to Ksh. 4.26 million that was physically seized during earlier investigative raids carried out under orders from the Milimani Chief Magistrate’s Court was officially declared as proceeds of unexplained wealth.
Justice Musyoki during the verdict said that the court opted for full property forfeiture rather than imposing direct cash restitution penalties to ensure the identified real estate assets are surrendered immediately back to the public domain.
“I am minded forfeiting what has been traced rather than going for restitution, the unexplained funds had already been heavily absorbed into the acquisition and development of landed properties and commercial family enterprises.” Justice Musyoki clarified in the written judgement.
The court order covers 18 prime real estate properties valued at Ksh. 177.11 million that includes Bantu Hotel along Kangundo Road, Saro Wiwa apartments in Utawala, a penthouse in Mombasa, and 11 land parcels across Kilifi and Thika, registered under the former Land Registrar officer, his wife, and their family entity, The Bantu Hotel and Resort Company Limited.
Furthermore, three luxury motor vehicles registered under Otwori’s name,a Land Cruiser Prado, Mercedes-Benz, and Toyota Hilux were declared forfeit, with the High Court directing the Director General of the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) and the Chief Lands Registrar to execute the transfer of all assets to the state.
