The Kenya Anti-Corruption Commission (Kacc) has obtained a six-month order blocking transfer or disposal of the Sh113 million Woodley Estate houses in Nairobi.

High Court Judge, Justice Kihara Kariuki, issued the order after the anti-graft body said it needed time to conclude investigations into how the 103 City Council houses were acquired.

 
Mrs Jacinta Oduor, who appeared for Kacc, told Justice Kariuki the houses were acquired as a result of corrupt practices.

"I agree with Oduor that she has placed before court sufficient evidence in support of the order. The applicant (Kacc) believes the respondents acquired the properties as a result of corrupt conduct," said Kariuki.

On Monday, the judge said there was need for the 103 owners to explain how they acquired the houses.

 Last Thursday, Kacc's lawyer said they needed the order to protect the "suspect" property.

She told the court the houses, which were originally owned by Nairobi City Council, were allocated to various persons at Sh1.1 million each.

Those who effected the transfers, the lawyer added, had no powers to do so. Kacc further claimed their sale was not advertised, "as transactions were shrouded in secrecy and favouritism."