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Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki has put land grabbers in Thika, Kiambu county on notice saying the government will not tolerate theft of parcels meant for establishment of public utilities.

Kindiki who spoke during the groundbreaking for Sh20 million new police division headquarters for Thika West at Ngoingwa estate described grabbers as dangerous terrorists out to deny Kenyans access to quality government services.

While describing corruption as a demon that kills, Kindiki reiterated the need to protect public property for future prosperity, citing that allowing land grabbers to thrive will threaten the future generations.

At Ngoingwa estate land meant for construction of markets, police station and a hospital have been encroached by grabbers who have already fenced a section of the parcels. On the land, the grabbers have also built, to completion, residential houses that are now at the verge of being demolished as the government moves to recover the stolen public property.

“There is no difference between the criminal who is terrorizing people and the person who is grabbing public land where facilities like police stations could be established. In this government, we have no space or room for thieves. Those who were stealing this parcel should be notified that it will be impossible. We will use all the government powers and tools to protect public property,” said Kindiki.

The CS who announced a serious war against unscrupulous and well-connected grabbers who have rampantly encroached and grabbed public parcels instructed the Central Region security team to begin reclaiming of all stolen public parcels to facilitate establishment of public utilities.

“We have agreed with the regional administration to work towards recovering all the stolen public property in Central Kenya. We must reclaim all the grabbed public land in this area and other parts of the country,” added Kindiki.

Kindiki said the land-grab has reached alarming levels in the region, with public utilities, including parcels set aside for schools, hospitals, social halls and recreational facilities, as well as land belonging to squatters, being the main targets.