Detectives in Garissa have arrested a senior public officer suspected of running a complex land fraud operation and carrying military-grade items after a tip-off led them to his vehicle along the Garissa-Lamu Highway.
Antony Githua Mwangi, an officer with the Ministry of Lands stationed in Garissa, was nabbed while driving a black Toyota Prado, registration KDQ 876Y.
A quick search of the car uncovered three rounds of 9mm Colt ammunition, KDF badges showing the rank of captain, four mobile phones, and six personal cheques each valued at Sh500,000.
Officers later searched Mwangi’s house in Madogo, where, in the presence of his brother, they recovered more shocking evidence including five more live bullets (7.62 x 51mm), 30 blank title deeds, a lease certificate, and several other land-related documents.
The investigations extended to properties linked to Mwangi in Thika and Ruiru, where detectives recovered an original title deed for land in Kajiado, documents used in land transfers, and an application for consent from the Lands Control Board all believed to be part of an ongoing fraudulent scheme.
Mwangi is under arrest as investigations proceed. He will face various charges, including illegal possession of ammunition and land forgery.
