Embu County gifts freedom heroes with parcels of land

Embu Governor Martin Wambora said the land had genuine title deeds. PHOTO: FILE

The county government has set aside 100 acres of land in Makima, Mbeere South to be allocated to surviving freedom fighters.

Governor Martin Wambora said the land had genuine title deeds and was a befitting gift to freedom heroes for the role they played in emancipating the country from colonial rule.

"We pay tribute to the men and women who gave all they had so that we might be free. We value you very much and I promised during the last Madaraka Day celebrations that we would ensure you are rewarded for your contributions towards self-rule for Kenyans. The promise has come true," he said.

Speaking at Kangaru Girls High School on Wednesday, Wambora said they were compiling a list of the beneficiaries.

He said they ditched a previous list that was grossly exaggerated as it contained over 2,000 names with some of the intended beneficiaries as young as 50 years.

The governor said the land would benefit the surviving heroes and their children to enjoy the fruits of self-rule. Wambora, who was joined by his deputy Dorothy Nditi, County Commissioner Esther Maina, several MCAs and hundreds of residents also denounced the political wrangling that has rocked the county for some time.

He also enumerated the achievements of his regime and some of the projects in the pipeline.

He said political instability was the biggest drawback to development and warned that "investors are exceedingly sensitive to political bickering and disunity among political leaders".