Kirinyaga: Kirinyaga County Government has successfully repossessed more than 800 acres of public land, valued at approximately Sh1 billion, which had been unlawfully acquired by private entities. This land, crucial for public infrastructure such as hospitals, schools, and police stations, was seized during the era of the now-defunct local authority.
According to Kenya News Agency, Governor Anne Waiguru emphasized her administration’s commitment to recovering all public land that had been grabbed. She urged those still occupying such lands to return them promptly to the government. Waiguru highlighted the importance of safeguarding public land for the collective benefit, noting its role in future development projects, environmental conservation, and economic growth.
Governor Waiguru also pointed out that preserving public land aids in conserving natural resources and maintaining biodiversity. She cited the example of Thigirici, where the government retained 242 acres to construct the Sagana Industrial Park, illustrating the economic benefits of properly managed public land.
County Executive for Lands, Physical Planning, and Urban Development, Rev. Samuel Kajombe, disclosed that the county is actively pursuing several court cases to recover additional parcels of land. He expressed optimism about the county’s chances of reclaiming the land for community benefit, including the Gichugu Law Court and Kianyaga police station sites, and 700 acres of South Ngariama land designated for multiple public uses.
Kajombe explained that some individuals who had been compensated with alternative land after government acquisition failed to surrender their title deeds. These individuals later returned to the land, some even selling it to unsuspecting buyers. The county has already reclaimed significant parcels, including the site for the Sagana Industrial Park, Kerugoya affordable housing project, and several other key areas crucial for public development.
