Charity Ngilu’s Konza remarks raise storm
What you need to know:
- A letter signed by Mrs Ngilu — dated April 11, and addressed to Makueni Senator Mutula Kilonzo Jnr — states that Konza is in Machakos
- Makueni Governor Kivutha Kibwana condemned Mrs Ngilu over the letter
Makueni leaders have criticised Lands Cabinet Secretary Charity Ngilu for declaring that Konza ICT City is in Machakos County.
A letter signed by Mrs Ngilu — dated April 11, and addressed to Makueni Senator Mutula Kilonzo Jnr — states that Konza is in Machakos. The minister also explained that the city historically belonged to Machakos from which Makueni District was hived off.
The senator had sought to know from Mrs Ngilu in which county Konza City lies.
Speaking at Mukuku Primary in Mbooni, Makueni Governor Kivutha Kibwana condemned Mrs Ngilu over the letter, describing it as misleading and aimed at dividing the Kamba community by creating enmity between him and Machakos Governor Alfred Mutua. (READ: Scandals mar dream of Konza technopolis)
“We feel offended by what the Cabinet secretary has done in dividing our people in Ukambani by declaring that Konza is in Machakos,” said Prof Kibwana.
He said the county would not take the matter to court as that would be the beginning of a long case likely to be used to chase investors from Konza.
Prof Kibwana assured that Makueni leaders will come up with other ways to solve the matter, he added.
The county boss accused Mrs Ngilu of overstepping her mandate as the role of defining boundaries was vested in a statutory commission.
“The Cabinet secretary does not seem to know her mandate. It’s the work of the land commission to declare who owns what and not the minister,” said Prof Kibwana.
He said procurement of the land was done in Makueni.
“I, therefore, wonder when Konza turned to be the property of Machakos,” he added.
He further accused the Cabinet Secretary of seeking to stifle development in Makueni.
