Nairobi, Kenya: Deputy President William Ruto and former Lugari legislator Cyrus Jirongo have been been linked to ownership of disputed land in Ruai.
Nairobi County Assembly Majority Leader Elias Otieno yesterday alleged Ruto and Jirongo were among the beneficiaries of about 5,319.9 hectares of land in Ruai.
"The former YK '92 are the people who own this land. We tell Ruto and Jirongo that Nairobi County Assembly wants back their land," said Otieno.
The matter arose when the assembly sectoral committee on Planning and Housing chaired by Imara Daima representative Jairo Atenya tabled a report regarding public land taken by private developers.
Viwandani representative Samwel Nyangwara, however, faulted the move saying standing orders do not allow adverse mentioning of names in the House without a substantive motion.
The Planning committee reported that the said land was originally Government property but was transferred to the Settlement Fund Trustee on December 5, 1986. The trustee is still holding 3,614.2 hectares while 1,054.78 hectares were transferred to two companies. The House has demanded the names of the directors of the said companies.
The land at Ruai has for time triggered disputes that has seen many people lose their lives.
Ruai Ward representative Daniel Mari urged the members to break the silence and reclaim the land that is meant for the county.
