Former Tigania East Member of Parliament Josphat Gichunge Mwirabua, popularly known as Kabeabea, has been arrested by detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) over allegations of defrauding land buyers of more than Ksh.56 million through a series of disputed land transactions.
The former lawmaker, who also served as Chairman of the Anti-Counterfeit Authority (ACA), was arrested by officers attached to the DCI Headquarters’ Land Fraud Investigations Unit after investigations into several complaints made by investors.
Authorities say the complaints relate to land sale agreements and property investment projects that allegedly failed to materialize despite buyers making substantial payments.
According to investigators, one of the cases dates back to 2016 when a group of investors purchased 50-by-100-foot plots through Diamond Property Merchants (DPM) Ltd, a company linked to Mwirabua.
The buyers reportedly signed individual sale agreements and deposited money directly into the company’s bank accounts.
Detectives allege that the investors collectively paid about Ksh.16.4 million for the plots. However, the buyers later discovered that the land parcel in Kajiado where the plots were said to be located had allegedly been transferred to other individuals without their knowledge.
Investigators further claim that the land was subdivided without the consent of the investors, leading them to raise complaints with the relevant authorities.
Following investigations, the DCI submitted the case file to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), which approved charges of obtaining money by false pretences against the former MP.
In a separate matter, Mwirabua is accused of obtaining approximately Ksh.40.1 million from investors after parcels of land in Kajiado were allegedly advertised through Diamond Property Merchants Ltd.
The project reportedly promised buyers land parcels that would be equipped with greenhouses, making it attractive to investors seeking agricultural opportunities.
According to investigators, the complainants paid varying amounts towards the project. However, they later reported that neither title deeds were transferred to them nor the promised greenhouses installed.
The Director of Public Prosecutions subsequently approved charges in the second case as well. Authorities say Mwirabua failed to respond to court summons related to the matter, prompting the Chief Magistrate’s Court in Kajiado to issue a warrant for his arrest.
Detectives eventually tracked him down and arrested him on Tuesday. The DCI said he is currently in custody undergoing processing and is expected to be presented before the Milimani Law Courts before being transferred to Kajiado Law Courts, where the arrest warrant remains active.
The case is expected to proceed through the court process as investigations and prosecution efforts continue.