Murang'a County residents call for government to take over Del Monte land upon expiry of lease

Why Kenyans want gov't to take over Del Monte

Mark Mwithaga

January 23, 2019 6:59 PM

Government called to intervene in land case

A Del Monte production shop

Murang’a county residents on Wednesday stated that they wanted the government to take over the land belonging to Del Monte amid the legal battle over lease awarded to the company.

The residents requested the government to take over the land of the food processing company and be included in the lease renewal once the current one held by the firm expires in three years.

Thirdway Alliance party leader Ekuru Aukot Pulse Live Kenya

Through representation by Thirdway Alliance Party leader Ekuru Aukot as a friend, the county inhabitants pointed out that they would invade the land if their demands were not met.

“We call upon President Uhuru Kenyatta and in pursuit of his Big Four agenda and in particular food security, to encourage the taking over of all the land upon expiry of the lease, by the County of Murang’a who should then grow affordable food in order to feed millions of Kenyans as well as significantly solve the issue of landlessness in that part of Murang’a County,” stated Aukot.

Aukot further criticized the international company and stated that the firm owned more than the 21,000 acres recorded.

Waititu renews lease on land

In September 2018, Kiambu Governor Ferdinand Waititu renewed the lease on 8,000 acres land owned by Del Monte.

Kiambu Governor Ferdinand Waititu Pulse Live Kenya

Waititu and Del Monte managing director Stergios Gkaliamoutsas had signed a memorandum of understanding that authenticated the lease.

The Kiambu governor had affirmed that his administration would continue to provide a proper environment for the company to enable it to invest more in the country.

According to the politician, legal battles over the matter would endanger the company.

Mark Mwithaga