Cabinet Secretary for Lands, Public Works, Housing and Urban Development Alice Wahome has promised to mediate warring Kiambu politicians.

Wahome spoke after meeting with Kiambu leaders including Senator Karungo Wa Thang’wa, Thika Town MP Alice Ng’ang’a, Woman Rep Anne Wamuratha and Lari MP Mburu Kahangara among others.

Wahome promised to bring on board Kiambu Governor Kimani Wamatangi to mediate with other leaders and settle the differences which have been there.

“I appeal to all of you, we should not lose money allocated for development projects by creating bottlenecks, let us work together to address the problem in the next 60 days,” Wahome said.

Other Kiambu leaders

According to Senator Thang’wa, who has been at loggerheads with the governor, the county is likely to lose funds meant for development due to differences and infighting with the leadership.

“Sadly, we were informed that we are on the verge of losing Ksh1.6 billion by next month due to the failure of the county executive to appoint municipal managers. Kiambu has also lost millions from the World Bank due to the governor’s failure to establish various offices or committees as required by the World Bank,” he said.

The Senator faulted the county boss for failure to take up projects completed by the national government, such as Githurai Market and Kirigiti Stadium.

Karungo said Kiambu needs approximately 12,000 housing units every year but the same has been delayed since the County Government remains adamant about releasing land for the same which could result in the loss of 120,000 job opportunities for the youth. 

Housing and Urban Development PS Charles Hinga said Kiambu has one of the highest populations in the country and should be among the biggest beneficiaries of the Affordable Housing Program.

He said the program will not only build houses for the people but also provide employment for the youth.

Principal Secretary for Lands Nixon Korir said that there is a need for collaboration between the Ministry, County Government and National Lands Commission to unlock the issues at hand.

“I am going to work closely with my counterpart, PS Hinga to ensure that we get the technical support in executing the projects that are touching on markets, housing and any other developmental projects. Development is deliberate, you can not scoop it,” Korir said.