Rumuruti town residents in Laikipia county have opposed the planned construction of a Wellness and Rehabilitation Centre that was recently launched by Pastor Dorcas Rigathi in the area.
Speaking during the ground breaking of the construction of the facility at Kandutura grounds last month, Pastor Dorcas said her office will collaborate with the Judiciary and the County government of Laikipia to set up the facility that will also have a detention Centre.
However, the angry residents who held a peaceful demonstration in Rumuruti town on Wednesday claimed that a public participation was not conducted before the 301 acre of land was allocated for the project.
The residents faulted the County government for allocating the land to the project yet there was an existing approved proposal for the Rehabilitation Centre pursuant to a public participation following a Notice published in the local dailies on November 4, 2021.
Solomon Mwangi, a resident, said under a special plan of Rumuruti municipality (2021-2031) , the public had allocated land for the rehabilitation centre which was still unutilised, only for the county administration to allocate the rehabilitation centre a new piece of land.
He said the new land under which the rehabilitation centre has been allocated has never been subjected to public participation hence raising questions on the criteria that was used in the new allocation.
Thomas Lang’at, a resident, asked the County government to stop any activity on the land in question and further hasten the process of allocating plots to hundreds of squatters at the Kandutura settlement scheme.
He said the rehabilitation centre should be set up on the previous 2.92ha of land in Rumuruti town that the residents had proposed.
The residents have since vowed to move to the public land and allocate themselves plots.
They at the same time vowed to continue holding peaceful demonstrations every week and paralyse activities at the famous Rumuruti livestock auction market, until their grievances are heard.
The Wellness and Rehabilitation Centre is set to incorporate a health facility, a rehabilitation centre, a digital hub, a sports academy, a vocational training and a prayer centre among other activities.
Those in the centre will also be equipped in agribusiness and entrepreneurial skills.
According to Pastor Dorcas, the facility will also house one of the largest occupational therapies for those with cerebral palsy and those suffering from autism.
Laikipia Governor Joshua Irungu welcomed the construction of the facility, adding that it will go a long way in equipping local youth with vocational skills as well as offer job opportunities for residents.
