Tatu City, a high profile multi-billion-shilling development project, is yet again embroiled in controversy as a group of elders from Githunguri, Kiambu County has laid claim to over 5,000 acres of land.
The elders have formally petitioned the National Assembly, seeking an investigation into what they describe as a historical injustice and illegality perpetrated by the majority shareholders of the Tatu City project.
According to them, part of the land housing Tatu City was wrongfully taken from them during the colonial era.
“No white person came to Kenya with land from abroad, so we support our Governor 100% when he says that the vast acres of land belong to the people of Kiambu and especially us the people of the Gathirimu clan we have claim to over 5000 acres of the land.”
“We therefore want our land back and are asking the government to intervene in this matter and compensate us,” said David Kimani an area resident.
They have rallied behind Kiambu Governor Kimani Wa Matangi, who has been vocal in his opposition to the management of Tatu City.
Governor Wamatangi is advocating for the release of public utility land for community use, emphasizing the need for accountability from the developers.
Also Read: Ten Dragged to Court Over Ksh1 Billion Prime Land in Nairobi
MP Gathoni Wamuchomba Criticizes Tatu City developers
Speaking to the media, area MP Gathoni Wamuchomba criticized the developers for expecting services from the County government without adhering to the legal requirements for land subdivision and development.
She highlighted the ongoing historical land injustice case with the National Land Commission, which is tasked with addressing such grievances.
“There has been Historical land Injustice of the Tatu Land, and the file is active with national land commission the department that deals with historical land injustices, “she posed.
Wamuchomba also challenged the authority with which the Tatu City developers used to partition the land, questioning whether they consulted with local residents to ensuring public participation in the decision-making process.
“Who gave them the authority to reduce the acreage of land, did they invoke the residents? Did they call for public participation?”
Dispute Between Tatu City Management & Kiambu Governor Wamatangi
The dispute between the Tatu City management and the Kiambu County government stems from the governor’s demand that Tatu City give up 54 acres from its 5,000-acre development for public amenities, including a hospital, community center, and his official residence.
Wamatangi insists that the demand aligns with the Physical and Land Use Planning Act, which mandates private developers to allocate land for social purposes.
Also Read: Those are Teething Problems; Wamatangi on Row with MCAs
Tatu City’s management, however, argues that this request is unconstitutional and amounts to extortion, insisting that any land transfer must be compensated at market value, estimated at Ksh 4.3 billion.
He has refused to approve Tatu City’s master plan until the land is surrendered, claiming no public land has been set aside since the project began 14 years ago.
The conflict has escalated, with Tatu City accusing the governor of delaying project approvals and jeopardizing investments worth Ksh 16 billion and over 4,500 jobs.
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