The construction of a Sh 5.6 billion drainage and sewerage system in Nakuru city has been thwarted by cartels in the lands department.

Nakuru county governor Susan Kihika has explained the severity of the cartels whom she said have grabbed land meant for the project.

The governor noted that the county government had, in partnership with the KFW German bank, embarked on an ambitious project aimed at addressing the perennial drainage and sewerage problems in the city but was frustrated by the said cartels.

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She noted that the cartels in the name of private developers blocked the second phase of the project after grabbing the said public land where the project was to be undertaken.

“I am sad to inform you that the land where phase 2 and 3 was to be implemented was grabbed by private developers," said Ms Kihika.

The governor was speaking during the signing of performance contracts by the County Executive Committee Members where she called on the need to protect government property.

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While reading a riot Act to the CECs the governor tasked them to develop a program that will map all government assets, process ownership documents as well as take physical custody of the said assets.

"I expect every department to work with the county attorney and the department of lands to recover county government properties.”

Kihika also sounded an alarm to the public servants in her administration against involvement in the grabbing noting that they will be held personally accountable.

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"For the public servants, rest assured that I will not allow you to facilitate the grabbing of government property. Any land grabbed will be repossessed and any civil servant found culpable of issuing allotment letters, processing title deeds and even approving the construction of buildings on public property without due diligence will be held accountable,” she added.

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Kihika blames stalled Sh 5.6 billion drainage project on land grabbers

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Joseph Openda