Construction of a Murang’a Level-5 hospital at limbo as differences escalates

Murang’a,

Tuesday, October 3, 2023

KNA by Bernard Munyao

Construction of a Level -5 hospital by Murang’a county Government on land ceded by Delmonte Company Ltd hangs in the balance after members of Kandara Residents Association invaded and destroyed materials that were delivered at the construction site.

The incident happened last week's prompting the patron of the association, Kibiru Junior, to be summoned by Murang’a police to record a statement on Monday, October 2.

Members of the association have accused Murang’a county government of going against court orders which barred any construction to be done on a 1, 400 acre piece of land until the pending cases are solved.

Kandara residents association has been agitating to get part of the Delmonte land saying their forefathers were pushed out of the land by former British colonialists.

Kibiru who led the association members to Murang’a Police station vowed not to back off from the demand to have people of Kandara factored as some beneficiaries of the land ceded by Delmonte.

Before renewal of its lease, the fruit processing company ceded some 1, 400 acres of land to Murang’a county government, a land earmarked for construction of a Level 5 hospital and an industrial park among other developments.

“In 2019, the association together with the National Lands Commission agreed 70 percent of ceded land would go to members of Kandara association and the remaining would be utilized by the county government of Murang’a. It’s unfortunate the county government has opted to go against the court order barring use of the land and commenced construction of the hospital,” he stated.

Kiburi distanced himself on allegations that he incited members of the association to destroy the construction materials.

“No construction materials were destroyed. Members of the association only visited the area and were shocked to see materials being delivered even without clear information on who was delivering since there was no construction sign board,” he added.

At Murang’a police station, the patron of the association was directed to go and record his statement at Ithanga sub county police station which covers the area of the crime.

“I have been directed to go and record a statement at Ithanga Police station since the said crime was committed by the local sub county and I will honour the summons,” Vowed Kibiru.

The association’s lawyer, Jackson Ikua observed that they will proceed to court and institute an application for contempt against the county government for ignoring the court order issued in November last year on utilization of the ceded Delmonte land.

“Members of the association visited the land after the contractor moved into the site which is against the court order,” said the Lawyer who accompanied Kibiru at the Murang’a County Police headquarters.

A member of the association Mzee Ngugi Karanja aged 101 years blamed Murang'a leadership over failing to ensure justice was done to the victims of historical injustice.

“Am one of the people who were thrown out of the Delmonte land by the whites, and I seek justice, and return to my ancestral land,” said Karanja.

Nyambura Guchu in her 90’s says her life has been full of pain and Kandara residents seek to return to the rightful lands.

“I was young and watched as the white meted violence on the community evicting them from parcels of land now under ownership of the pineapple growing company,” reflected Nyambura.

The association has 4, 600 members, 3, 600 from Murang’a and the other 1, 500 from Kiambu county.

Courtesy; KNA