President William Ruto’s hometown of Eldoret has been hit by land grabbing menace targeting prime public utility properties worth billions of shillings, it has been revealed.

The cartels, working in cohort with corrupt officials at the Eldoret lands registry, are so daring to an extent of blocking construction of key infrastructure projects planned for residents of the region.

This emerged after the devolved unit was unable to construct a Sh150 million cultural centre located in Pioneer estate on the outskirts of the town.

This was after the prime 3 acre piece of land worth more than Sh100 million which was set aside for the development of the project was taken away by the grabbers.

County director for culture and heritage Mohamed Dakane said their efforts to access the land has been thwarted on several occasions by the grabbers who claim ownership of the property.

Cultural centre

The private developers, he said,have warned them to keep off the property every time they attempt to access it with a view to construct  the cultural centre.

“We have been unable to construct a cultural centre on the piece of land which is a public utility property after the grabbers blocked us from accessing it as they claim ownership,” said Dakane.

Speaking during Kenya Music and Cultural fete held at Craft centre in Eldoret , Dakana told area Governor Jonatahn Bii who graced the event to help them recover the prime land from the grabbers.

“Your excellency governor Bii, we are seeking for your intervention in the recovery of the 3 acre prime piece land which is public utility earmarked for the construction of a cultural centre,” he pleaded.

National competition

He told the governor that more than 30 members of cultural groups in the region have nowhere to practice ahead of their participation in the national competition slated for Nairobi in two weeks time.

“It is unfortunate to note that our cultural group  embers who have been bringing glory to the county due to their superb performance are forced to beg for venues to practise ahead of national competitions,” said Dakane.

In his address, the government was concerned with Dakane on the need

to recover the land which he said belonged to the regional government and set aside for the project.

 “It is true this land belongs to the county and it was earmarked for the construction of a cultural centre. Plans are on top gears to ensure it is reverted back to the public,” assured Bii.

He said that he will not entertain incidents of land grabbing that have contributed to stalling of key projects planned by his administration for the local residents.