By Kepher Otieno
Plans to build a Sh70 million ultra-modern eye hospital in Kisumu has hit a snag due to delayed processing of a title deed, The Standard has learnt.
The woes come even after the investors – Lions Club of Kisumu — set aside Sh50 million and were promised another Sh20 million by Lions Club International to start the project.
Investigation by The Standard established the investors have been making unsuccessful follow-ups for the last three years, since the project was proposed.
Kisumu Lions Club Secretary, Shashi Gadhia, said they went public about the project after the municipal council assured them of free land.
This motivated their international counterpart who promised to donate Sh20 million at the start and later give them more money subject to seeing the title deed of the land on which the facility would be built.
But the investors have not received the document even after the civic body showed them a piece of land for the project near Otonglo market, about ten kilometres from Kisumu town.
“Our donors sent representatives and we visited the proposed site and told them the title deed would be processed and issued soon. It is three years now and nothing has happened,” said Gadhia.
He disclosed the Lions Club office has been inundated by calls from leaders asking about the project, some even wondering if it was a mere public gimmick.
“We have the money but there is nothing to make us invest devoid of fear. We may build and get ejected tomorrow,’’ he said.
Gadhia spoke as Kisumu Mayor Sam Okello absolved the authority of blame. Mr Okello said they had also applied to the Ministry of Lands to process the title deed.
“Even now, the town planner has pitched tent at the Ministry of Lands pursuing the document and others so as to expedite development projects,’’ said Okello.
