The US government has reportedly offered to build a Sh3 billion health facility in Murang’a County as it pushes for the renewal of a land lease for American food processor, Del Monte.
Del Monte grows fruits on a 22,000-acre chunk of land in the county but various parties including Kandara Residents Association want between 5,000 and 8,000 acres ceded to the community for public use.
Murang’a Senator Irungu Kang’ata told Daily Nation that the US has committed to put up a teaching and referral hospital on land Del Monte has agreed to surrender in the negotiations that are entering final stage.
“America and Del Monte have never had any problems with the demands that the locals have been fronting. It’s probably the method of engagement that was faulty. We’re now having very structured meetings and are nearly at the point of breaking the impasse,” said Kang’ata.
Murang’a Governor Mwangi Wa Iria has called for transparency in the process in order to achieve a mutually beneficial deal for all parties.
Kandara Residents Association chairman Philip Kamau said they have struck a Sh130 billion partnership deal with Fourways and Tatu City Investment to build an industrial park, affordable houses and a light industries zone on the ceded land.
He said a further 3,000 acres has been set aside for resettlement of squatters in the county, building of a social hall, a church, mosque, a primary and a secondary school.
“We’re seeking a meeting with the President to brief him on the partnership and have the county government’s blessings as we commence engagements,” he said.
Lands PS Chris Muraguri said President Uhuru wants the land lease impasse resolved before the end of this month.
“I’m in a rush to meet the President’s directive that I lead an exercise of surveying and demarcating the Del Monte land with a view of determining the authenticity of the public claim placed therein and after arbitrating and reconciling the differences, we shall proceed to renew the lease,” he said.
No comments:
Post a Comment