Locals vow to share former Del Monte land
By Oliver Musembi, January 23, 2023Residents of Gatuanyaga in Thika East, Kiambu county have vowed to invade and subdivide among themselves land surrendered by pineapple growing and processing firm Del Monte Ltd.
The disgruntled villagers said the government was taking too long to have the over 635-acre land demarcated for settlement and other developments.
The company surrendered two chunks of land that it was not utilising in Kiambu and Murang’a counties in 2021, following the expiry of a 99-year lease.
This also ushered in a renewal of the lease for its land that measures over 30,000 acres.
Speaking during a public meeting at Muguga trading centre, the villagers who are members of Gatuanyaga Residents Association also vehemently rejected a move to relocate the Thika Stadium, Thika GK Prison and a public cemetery among various government institutions to the area.
Led by the Association Chairman David Chege and Secretary Peter Gachengeci, the group resolved that in the absence of a public participation exercise as required by law, they have no option but to proceed and demarcate the land themselves.
They took issue with various political leaders for failing to take up the matter and provide leadership on the way forward.
“All what we hear is that there are plans to move the Thika GK Prison, the stadium and Kiandutu cemetery to Gatuanyaga. We shall resist this including going to court to obtain restraining orders since residents were not consulted,” said Chege.