Murang'a county government and a residents' association are headed for clash over land ceded by Delmonte Kenya Limited (DKL).
The Kandara Residents Association is demanding for fairness in the distribution of land, as directed by the National Lands Commission (NLC).
During a public participation forum at Makeji police station, coordinated by Chief Officer Lands Josephine Wanjiru and attended by MCAs Elizabeth Wanjiru Mwangi (Kimorori) and Stephen Mukara (Muruka) locals discussed the use of the 1,400 acres of land.
Ms Wanjiru outlined the county government plan to construct Kenol Hospital on a 100 acres at a cost of Sh200 million to help decongest other health facilities in the county and reduce the cost of seeking treatment in Thika.
"We are here to engage with the locals to ensure the facility will be built on land the government got from Delmonte. Other projects for the public interest are in the pipeline," she said.
Two years ago, 1,400 acres were allocated to the county government for development but the association led by Geoffrey Kairu and Florence Njeri demanded fairness in the distribution of land as ordered by NLC and approved by Parliament.
The public warned over the rush to construct the hospital by the county before the issues raised by the association are resolved.
A member of the residents forum, Joseph Irungu said the hospital ought to be constructed on the Kenol- Kabati land which is 34 acres and has a title deed.
"Delmonte has not released a title for the 1,400 acres that it ceded to the county government, 34 acres that was bought at Sh340 million is intact and ready for development," said Irungu.
Kairu said the association demands its share of the land from the fruit processors owing to the past historical injustice meted on their forefathers as they were ejected out of their settlement by the colonial settlers.
"The residents are not opposed to the construction of the health facility of the level five status, but demand share of the land after it was revealed that Delmonte controls 7,447 acres of land without knowledge of the authorities," said Kairu.
A senior county official Peter Mbogo said a meeting to deliberate on pending issues on Kandara Residents Association is planned for next week.
Mbogo said Governor Irungu Kang'ata, Mbogo has planned a meeting with Lands Cabinet Secretary Zacharia Njeru to fast track concerns of Kandara residents.
"In the 1,400 acres of land, we have set aside 300 acres for use by investors in setting up industries, 50 acres for a wholesale market. We have areas for colleges including nursing, ECDE among others," said Mbogo.
