Murang’a County Commissioner Patrick Mukuria has issued a stern warning to a group of residents who have been invading the county government’s land gotten from Delmonte Company Limited. Speaking during Mashujaa Day celebrations held in Kenol town, Murang’a south sub-county, Mukuria said they will not hesitate to arrest and present those found encroaching on the said land before a court of law. The county commissioner, who was accompanied by Governor Irungu Kang’ata among other leaders, confirmed that the 1,400 acres of land were ceded by Delmonte Company to the devolved government to support the construction of various development infrastructures. The sentiment comes in the wake of several disruptions to the construction of a Level-5 hospital on the controversial land by members of the Kandara Residents Association, who claim to own part of the portion. ‘Invasion of the government’s land has been rampant in this county, and we will not allow this to continue. I urge those behind the invasion to stop or face the law,’ warned Mukuria. He further cautioned residents against being defrauded by some unscrupulous land brokers, purporting to be in a position to sell part of the county government’s land. ‘Fraudsters have established illegal offices to sell land that does not belong to them to unsuspecting members of the public! Locals should guard against being defrauded of their hard-earned money,’ he said. On his part, Kang’ata urged residents to allow the county administration to put up a level-5 hospital on the land, saying the devolved entity legally owns the land after it was given out by the fruit processing company. Kang’ata noted that construction of the hospital has kicked off in earnest, but there were undue disruptions occasioned by residents neighbouring the land. ‘Those demanding to own part of the land need to shelve their interests and allow the construction of the hospital to go on. The facility will help us to shift Kenneth Matiba Hospital from Kenol town, where it is currently being hosted in a rental building,’ said Kang’ata. He further called upon security officers led by the County Police commander, Mr. David Mathiu, to ensure the land is protected from invaders, saying that apart from the hospital, the land will also be used to set up an industrial park among other facilities. The governor reiterated that his administration is keen to improve the health sector, saying construction of the level-5 hospital will help people, especially in parts of Murang’a south, get quality health care. ‘This region has no major hospital, and we are determined to ensure the proposed Level 5 hospital is completed within the shortest time possible. ‘The facility will relieve our people who seek medication in health facilities from the neighbouring Kiambu county,’ remarked Kang’ata. On her part, Maragua MP Mary Waithera asked police to protect the land from grabbers, saying that apart from the hospital, an industrial park and economic zone are earmarked to be set up so as to spur social and economic development in the county. Waithera further called for security apparatus to work hand in hand with leaders so as to end the alcoholism menace in the county. ‘The problem of alcoholism and drug abuse in the area needs concerted efforts among all leaders and security agents led by the county commissioner,’ she averred.
Source: Kenya News Agency