Three counties lay claim to Konza project

Kenya: Three counties are laying claim to the ambitious Konza Techno City project, raising serious concerns on its exact location. Leaders drawn from Machakos, Kajiado and Makueni counties have disagreed on the location of the project.

Lands Cabinet Secretary Charity Ngilu in a statement to the Senate yesterday said the project was situated within Machakos County and not Makueni.

Senator Mutula Kilonzo Junior, who tabled documents in the House to support his claims, refuted Ngilu’s position, maintaining that Konza was in Makueni. Senators admitted the issue was of serious concern and should be handled with extreme caution and within the confines of the law.

Deputy Speaker Kembi Gitura said the interest generated and directed Senate Clerk Jeremiah Nyegenye and the lands committee to convene a meeting and that Ngilu, Director Survey and Director Physical planning be invited to deliberate on the matter.

“We need a way forward on this issue. The meeting should also seek to establish if the CS has the mandate to determine the boundary of an area,” said Senator Gitura.

GIVE DIRECTION

He affirmed that the boundaries matter was by law undertaken by the constitutional commission or Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).

“The committee should sit and give the House direction on the matter,” he said.

Committee Vice-Chairman Senator George Khaniri (Vihiga) pledged to seek further clarification from the CS, arguing senators could not discredit the ministry’s position based on events instead of maps and facts.

Senate Majority Leader Kithure Kindiki noted the boundaries issue not only touched on investment but also on security. “This is not a small matter, we must consult widely and agree on the way forward,” he said.

Minority Leader Moses Wetangula and Siaya Senator James Orengo called for dialogue and warned against trying to alter boundaries. Wetangula questioned if former President Mwai Kibaki was duped into launching a project whose exact location was unknown.