COURT CLEARS ALICE WAHOME IN SH120 MILLION MANSION CASE

Kenya’s High Court has dismissed a petition seeking to declare Lands Cabinet Secretary Alice Wahome unfit to hold public office over allegations of corruption, irregular procurement and the alleged acquisition of a Sh120 million mansion in Karen, Nairobi.

In a ruling delivered by Justice Patricia Nyaundi, the court found that petitioner Francis Awino had failed to provide sufficient evidence to support the serious allegations against the Cabinet Secretary.

The petition, filed on May 13, 2025, accused Wahome of acquiring the mansion without explaining the source of the funds. It further alleged that shell companies and proxy buyers were used to conceal the property's true ownership. However, the judge said the claims were not supported by evidence establishing the property's existence, Wahome's acquisition of it or any unlawful conduct.

The case also raised concerns about the implementation of the Affordable Housing Programme, the Kenya Slum Upgrading Programme and the Southlands housing redevelopment project in Lang’ata, Nairobi.

Awino alleged that the Southlands project had deviated from its original goal of improving living conditions for low-income residents, with politically connected contractors allegedly benefiting at the expense of affected families. He also claimed there were procurement irregularities, financial mismanagement and violations of residents’ housing rights.

The petitioner had asked the court to compel Wahome to disclose the source of funds used to acquire the alleged mansion, suspend the Southlands project pending an independent audit and order the resettlement or compensation of displaced residents.

Wahome opposed the petition, arguing that the accusations were generalised and unsupported by evidence linking her personally to any wrongdoing. The Ministry of Lands also maintained that affordable housing tenders were conducted through open procurement procedures in accordance with the law.

The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission, which was involved in the proceedings, argued that the petitioner had not lodged a complaint with the commission to trigger investigations into the allegations.

In dismissing the case, Justice Nyaundi emphasised that constitutional petitions must identify specific legal violations and provide evidence to support the claims. The judge criticised the petitioner for presenting serious accusations without sufficient proof.

The court subsequently dismissed the petition with costs awarded to Wahome.

The ruling means the petition did not establish the alleged misconduct against the Cabinet Secretary. It does not, by itself, amount to a general finding on every aspect of her conduct or any separate investigations that may arise.