By Antony Gitonga
Naivasha Municipal Council made true its threat to repossess undeveloped plots despite a court order.
Residents, who had applied for the plots after paying Sh5, 000 each, attended the balloting at the council grounds.
Police officers kept vigil in and around the council premises during the event attended by senior Government officers, traders, politicians, and religious leaders.
The High Court in Nakuru had barred the exercise until a matter pending over the repossession of the plots was heard and determined.
But Town Clerk Felix Olwero defended the balloting, saying they were not re-allocating the plots but screening those who had applied for them against the plots available.
Dumpsites
He said the Ministry of Local Government had given the council the go-ahead to repossess all undeveloped plots after ascertaining the civic body had followed the laid down procedure.
“The council is owed more than Sh40 million in land rates and the undeveloped plots have turned into an eyesore, dumpsites and a hub for criminals,” he said.
The clerk said the exercise, which according to him was free and fair, had attracted 608 applicants against 102 plots.
Naivasha Senior DO Michael Kioni, who graced the exercise, praised the council for following the legal procedure before repossessing the plots.
“The process started in 2010 and I am impressed by the manner in which the balloting has been carried,” he said.
