Kiambu County Governor Kimani Wamatangi has urged a swift investigation into Tatu City over a land dispute.
Wamatangi insists that Tatu City should allocate ten percent of their land for public use, a move Tatu City claims is unconstitutional since it is a private developer and no laws mandate this compliance.
In a formal statement to the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC), the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), Wamatangi highlighted that Tatu City Management has been spreading false allegations of extortion against him and Salome Wainaina, Kiambu’s County Executive for Land.
He claims that Preston Mendenhall, Group Chief Operating Officer at Rendeavour (the company behind Tatu City), has consistently tried to tarnish his reputation by suggesting the governor wants the land for himself.
Wamatangi emphasized that the development includes areas designated for public use that should be transferred to the County Government in accordance with the Physical and Land Use Planning Act of 2019, a requirement communicated to Tatu City.
“Consequently, it is the position of the law and that of the County Government in this issue, that all matters regarding the reservation and subsequent surrender of land for access, wayleaves, public purpose and public utilities in any comprehensive mixed-use development is not a subject of negotiation, and that such reservations and surrender MUST be done in compliance with all relevant laws,” said Wamatangi.
Despite discussions with the development management, Wamatangi noted that Mendenhall continues to accuse the Kiambu County Government of extortion.
The governor now demands that Mendenhall provide evidence for his claims to the investigative bodies.
Earlier, Tatu City management declined an invitation from the Kiambu County Government to address concerns about delays in approving their revised plan for the land, valued at Sh. 4.3 billion.
In a statement on July 16, Mendenhall asserted that the meeting would not resolve the issues and suggested that the county government should purchase the desired 54 acres of land rather than expect it to be handed over.
