The construction of an ICT hub in Thika town has suffered a major setback after public land earmarked for the project was claimed by individuals.
Thika Town MP Alice Ng'ang'a sounded the alarm, saying the prime land belongs to the Ministry of Public Works.
The MP said some individuals were claiming the three acres where the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission offices are located.
Public Works Principal Secretary Joel Arumonyang, while on an assessment tour of the premises on January 28, revealed that the project was a partnership between the State Department for ICT and Parliament to have the centres in every constituency.
MP Ng’ang’a told journalists during an impromptu visit on the property on Wednesday that she was privy to information that the land was leased to two individuals in 2022.
The alleged owners are now demanding compensation to vacate the prime land. An acre goes for Sh50 million in the area.
“We now need the intervention of President William Ruto on this issue. We will not allow a few individuals to destroy such a noble project that is set to benefit thousands of Thika residents,” the MP said.
“If this land belongs to you, come out in public and tell us how you acquired it. This is the land we use and which hosts nearly all government services.”
The MP said there was nowhere to put up markets, ICT hubs, secondary schools and government offices needed by the increasing population.
The land was initially about six acres but now has high-rise buildings on it.
Thika West Deputy County Commissioner James Wanyoike said development in the area had slowed as a result of runaway grabbing of public land.
