Former Tigania East Member of Parliament Josphat Gichunge Mwirabua, popularly known as Kabeabea, has been arrested by detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations over allegations of defrauding land buyers of more than KSh 56 million through suspected fraudulent property transactions.
Mwirabua, who previously served as chairman of the Anti-Counterfeit Authority, was apprehended by officers from the DCI’s Land Fraud Investigations Unit following multiple complaints from investors.
According to investigators, one of the cases dates back to 2016, when several investors reportedly purchased 50-by-100-foot plots through Diamond Property Merchants Ltd, a firm linked to the former legislator.
The buyers are said to have signed individual sale agreements and deposited payments directly into the company’s accounts, collectively paying approximately KSh 16.4 million. However, investigators allege that the land in Kajiado County was later transferred to other individuals and subdivided without the buyers’ knowledge or consent.
Following investigations, the DCI forwarded the file to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, which approved charges of obtaining money by false pretences.
In a separate matter, Mwirabua is accused of obtaining an additional KSh 40.1 million from investors after allegedly advertising Kajiado land parcels that were promised to include greenhouse installations.
Investigators say the complainants paid substantial amounts toward the project, but neither title deeds were transferred nor the promised greenhouses provided.
The DPP approved charges in that case as well. Authorities further allege that Mwirabua failed to honour court summons, prompting the Chief Magistrate’s Court in Kajiado to issue a warrant for his arrest.
Detectives tracked him down and arrested him on Tuesday.
The former MP is currently in custody undergoing processing and is expected to be presented before the Milimani Law Courts before being transferred to the Kajiado Law Courts, where the arrest warrant remains active.
The case highlights the growing concern over land fraud schemes in Kenya, with authorities urging prospective buyers to conduct thorough due diligence before purchasing property. As investigations and court proceedings continue, the allegations against Mwirabua remain subject to judicial determination.
