US Offers to Build Sh3 Billion Hospital on Murang'a Land Ceded By Del Monte
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.
Comments (12)
A cool bribe to the people of the republic of Kenya
They’re finally fighting terrorism.
The terrorists in East Africa are Kikuyus, Kalenjins and Al shabab.
Te rest of us want a divorce from this abusive marriage.
We’re tired.
Off your meds again I see.
We want secession.
The American government moving its military installations to the home of terrorists is an added benefit to us and to them.
@Mundumugo, you are beginning to sound like Maxiley, with Guest1. Guesty and Guest1 is one and the same person. She just changes names, but the thought process, and ideology, is the same... Luo superiority, Luhya cheating, and Kikuyu thievery. She is a Luo kid who has gone through some trauma, which she identifies, for whatever reason, with Luhyas. You can see that she needs some meds, but you don't know if she is taking them. So don't argue with her.
There has to be some level of corruption involved here. Better yet, Muranga should demand to get the hospital and a percent of the yearly profits from the pineapple plantation. These foreign companies have raped us over and over again. We are hurting now.
Perhaps Del Monte should just pack up and leave but we know that land would be grabbed by the few for high rises. The residents should make sure what is discussed is implemented to a T and not left to the shitty politicians. We are our own greatest enemies.
The government should also make sure Del Monte is not poisoning the soils.
The land is prime agricultural land and Murang'a,especially the lower part, has plenty of land less suitable for agriculture. Why not continue to use the 3000 acres as pineapple farm for the benefit of the people of Murang'a and identify a less fertile land elsewhere for the proposed industrial park, etc?
Very prime land.
They need to also put a military base there (they can put schools too) and another one in Riftvalley (In Baringo).
If they’re going to fight terrorists they need to take the fight to the
REAL financiers and co-ordinators.
Those who will go along with a foreigner, colonialist continuing to hold on to our forefathers land no matter how much in bribe are on the wrong side of history. Any agreement that will be made without giving the land back first to its rightful owners will soon be null and void. Colonizers statutes and anything that represents them and their forefathers is being brought down around the world. 400 years plus of slavery are over. Give us back our land to feed our people so they can be healthy and avoid hospitals. Health and nutrition first for our people before hospitals. It's time for Revelation and Restoration!! Wake up Kenyans!!
Thank you Anonymous...you have made my day. Always happy to hear from someone is fully aware of the colonial context we exist in and able to separate African vs colonial interests.
They say those who dont learn about their history are bound to repeat the mistakes of their history. Most people are not even at that level of awarenesss and by the comments here, some even think these very same colonizers will "rescue" us from local terrorists, not bothering to recall they were our brother's terrorists for over 400 years. Even till now, our kin are treated with hostility there despite literally building their societies.
You can fool some but not all. We are watching....
Now, I see they have finally began fighting terrorism.
Now they need to establish a military base right there in Central Kenya( home of Al shabab) .