Nyandarua Governor Daniel Waithaka has distanced his administration from the intended revival of Njabini Midland Company, a horticultural firm.
He said the factory is a private enterprise, despite having been built on Njabini Agricultural Training College land.
The company is associated with former Cabinet minister Amos Kimunya.
“I want to make it clear that Midland Company is owned mainly by 12 individuals, with one shareholder claiming ownership of nearly 90 per cent shares,” the governor said.
He was speaking in Njabini town on Tuesday during an inspection of development projects in Njabini-Kiburu ward.
Waithaka said some “brokers on hire” are demanding that the government intervenes to stop cases involving acquisition of the 40 acres and revive the factory for farmers’ benefit.
He said although agriculture is devolved, the factory was never handed to the county government because it is a private entity.
Waithaka said his administration cannot pump public funds into private business.
He urged the factory owners to hand it over to his administration so it can be revived. Alternatively, Waithaka said, they should demolish the factory for the county to build its own on the land.
Kimunya has denied wrong-doing, saying the factory belongs to the public.
