Kiambu County governor William Kabogo says that his administration might fail to renew the land lease for Cirio Del Monte Kenya Limited company when it expires.
Speaking on Wednesday in Thika Town, Kabogo claimed that the company owned by European food processing giant, Cirio Alimentare, had failed to address the plight of local residents. He was responding to queries by residents about the issue.
“Del Monte has not improved the living standards of Thika residents despite earning millions from pineapple processing," said Kabogo.
Kabogo claimed that thousands of Thika residents are wallowing in poverty when 'their land is being used to enrich outsiders'.
“Del Monte has been earning over sh 4 billion annually without giving back to local community,"he added.
He said the county government would give the land to locals to improve their livelihood.
“The 20,000 acres currently being used by the company can highly improve the lives of Thika residents who are living as squatters," he added.
A similar threat has been expressed by residents from Murang'a County who have accused the company of paying local labourers poorly.