Tourism and Wildlife Cabinet Secretary (CS) Alfred Mutua has refuted claims that the Kenyatta Interantional Conference Center (KICC), land is up for sale.
While appearing before the National Assembly’s Public Investment Committee, Mutua said that the piece of land belonged to KICC and would not be unlawfully acquired by any party.
Mutua appeared before the committee together with Lands, Public Works, Housing, and Urban Development Cabinet Secretary Alice Wahome to answer questions over the privatization of KICC as well as the sale of land adjacent to the building.
“The land in question has been mired in numerous court cases, exposing conflicts of interest among certain state officials involved in its management.
“I emphatically reiterated that no portion of land rightfully belonging to KICC will be unlawfully acquired under the leadership of President William Ruto.
I underscored to the committee that the executive arm of the Government maintains one unequivocal stance on this matter: the land rightfully belongs to KICC,” Mutua said.
Mutua Gives ultimatum to Lands Commission
At the same time, Mutua indicated that he learnt from the committee that senior officials in the National Lands Commission may have been involved in unscrupulous schemes to sell the piece of land.
Subsequently, he gave the ministry of lands 30 days to issue KICC with a title deed, sounding a stern warning to officers at the ministry who were part of shady deals regarding the piece of land.
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“I vehemently cautioned against such illicit activities and reminded public officials of their solemn duty to prioritize the public interest in decision-making processes, particularly when dealing with weighty matters like this one.
“The Ministry of Lands has been granted one month to meticulously address all outstanding issues related to the land saga and expeditiously facilitate the issuance of a title deed in KICC’s name,” he added.
Alai Slaps Sakaja with Demand Letter Over KICC
In November 2023, Kileleshwa Ward Member of County Assembly (MCA) Robert Alai wrote to Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja asking him to explain the takeover of part of the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) land by Garden Square restaurant.
Further, Alai raised concerns over the underrepresentation of both Nairobi City County and KICC during a suit that saw Garden Square legally take over the land in phases.
He indicated that court documents revealed Garden Square had been granted ownership of the land and was directed to pay rent to the National Lands Commission on behalf of the County Government until the transfer of the property to them was concluded.
Also Read: Sakaja Slapped with Demands Over KICC Land Takeover
However, Alai stated that “allegations had resurfaced indicating that members of the Acting County Secretary who also doubles up as Chief Officer Planning, together with some members of the County Assembly’s Planning Committee were compromised through bribes, resulting in a weakened legal stance over the matter.”
“Kenyans are troubled by the seemingly irregular and suspicious circumstances surrounding the handover of this valuable property to Garden Square Restaurant Limited.
“It has come to our attention that critical legal procedures were overlooked or negligently handled by your officers and those of KICC during the period when this matter was in court,” the letter read in part.
Ruto on the Privatization
In November 2023, the government through the National Treasury listed eleven state owned parastatals in the new privatization drive including KICC.
Among the companies to be sold include Kenya Pipeline, Kenya Literature Bureau, Kenyatta Interantional Convention Center (KICC), National Oil Corporation of Kenya and Kenya Seed Company.
Further, Mwea Rice Mills, Western Kenya Rice Mills, New Kenya Corporative Creameries, Kenya Vehicle Manufacturing, Rivatex East Africa Limited and Numerical Machining Complex were also listed in the privatization drive.
President William Ruto signed the Privatization Bill, 2023 into law in October 2023, arguing that some of the assets owned by the government served as a hinderance to national growth.
He said the services offered by these companies could be better offered in the private sector.
