Orengo linked to sale of land owned by Kari

Lands Minister James Orengo was on Thursday challenged in Parliament to declare his interest in a controversial sale of government land said to have been illegally acquired by powerful politicians and well connected businessmen.

Mr Orengo was said to have acted as a lawyer for former Limuru MP Kuria Kanyingi who bought part of the land belonging to Kenya Agricultural Research Institute (Kari) Potato Research Centre in Tigoni from Lugari MP Cyrus Jirongo.

Lands assistant minister Gonzi Rai, who responded to the questions filed by Limuru MP Peter Mwathi, was at pains to declare interest when Ikolomani MP Boni Khalwale demanded to know the position of the minister with regard to the sanctity of Title Deeds.

Mr Rai had informed the House that the government will within 45 days repossess the entire 163 acres of Kari land, which was excised from the 228 acre land meant for research. Kari now has 65 acres left for potato research.

Dr Khalwale tabled documents showing that Mr Orengo acted for Mr Kanyingi when he bought 8.85 acres of the Kari land from Mr Jirongo.

Dr Khalwale said the land Mr Kanyingi bought was part of the 50.50 acre land, which initially was held by Renege Project limited and subdivided into 13 plots.

He questioned the ministry’s stand with regard to the sanctity of title deeds saying former powerful Cabinet Minister Julius Gikonyo Kiano was allocated 57.07 acres in 1973.

“Mr Speaker Sir, I want the minister to explain the sanctity of title deed with regard to repossession of land. I have documents that show that a former MP bought the land from a current MP.

“The land was initially allocated to former Minister Dr Julius Gikonyo in 1973 and has since changed hands five times,” he said.