Thousands Face Eviction as Governor Moves to Reposes Land

Nyandarua Governor Francis Kimemia Addressing the media following closed-door talks with Interior CS Fred Matiang'i on June 15, 2020.
Nyandarua Governor Francis Kimemia Addressing the media following closed-door talks with Interior CS Fred Matiang'i on June 15, 2020.
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Thousands of families in Nyandarua are staring at mass evictions after Governor Francis Kimemia ordered repossession of a parcel of land.

A report by Daily Nation on Wednesday, October 21, indicated that the contentious parcel has 260 dams and was meant to host public amenities.

The land, which is said to be in the hands of land grabbers, was part of the implementation of UN-Habitat-funded Kenya Informal Settlements Improvement Project (KISIP).

The parcel involves eight colonial villages spread out in Nyandarua County.

Nyandarua County Governor Francis Kimemia at Kenya School of Government (KSG), Lower Kabete in Kiambu during a Consultative Devolution meeting. Thursday, February 20, 2020
Nyandarua County Governor Francis Kimemia at Kenya School of Government (KSG), Lower Kabete in Kiambu during a Consultative Devolution meeting. Thursday, February 20, 2020.

The governor directed his Lands Department to ensure that the titles of the land are sent to relevant government offices.

“I direct the Department of Lands and planning to survey and demarcate public land and ensure all county government land titles are released to the relevant department for custody.

"Work with the community to ensure roads encroachment is reduced and the public is advised in advance," he directed.

He also ordered the county's land ministry to digitise land search and processes.

"Reclaim through survey over 260 dams owned by the government, which have either been grabbed or encroached, digitise and automate the land search and processes, develop policy on land development within the county and develop and implement land zoning within the county." he added.

The unavailability of the land has strained the available facilities causing congestion at JM Memorial Hospital in Ol Kalou town.

Water, Tourism and Environment executive member Milka Wanjiru, however, failed to reveal the figure of families facing eviction.

She said that the figure would only be available after demarcation was complete.

The dams vary in sizes of between five and 40 acres.

“We cannot say the exact number of families to be affected, but I can tell you it’s a big number. We will only be able to establish the figure once demarcation is done," she stated.

Entrance to Nyandarua County Government offices.
Entrance to Nyandarua County Government offices.
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