An Athi-river based society has set aside 400-acre piece of land for utilization of public utilities as it embarks on major development of their 4,298 acres chunk of land.
Aimi Ma Lukenya society which dates back from 1953 and has over 4000 members says the move is aimed at improving the welfare of members and other neighboring locals.
Locals here have over the years suffered due to lack of healthcare facilities, learning institutions, market and youth stadium.
Children have been forced to walk for kilometers to quench education thirst at Athi-river amid increased cases of school going children being involved in accidents while crossing the railway.
Parents say children have been performing poorly due to the struggles they undergo.
Lack of a healthcare facility has also witnessed the health of the locals especially the elderly and children deteriorate. There has never been a single dispensary in the area.
Women reckon how they farm produce have been going bad before getting to the Athi-river market.
According to the society members the delay in allocation of the land has been prompted by tussles that initially rocked the society but have since been resolved as the society embarks in a mega development project.
"We have suffered for many years due to land use tussles but we have finally agreed on land use for the better of all. As a society we will ensure we protect the 400acres are utilized for public amenities since land grabbing is rampant in Athiriver. We have clearly outlined measures and restrictions which do not give officials the mandate to change the defined land use," said John Mutie.
The society chairperson Julius Mutua who addressed the press in Athi River town on Monday said it is common for developers not to allocate land for social amenities a trend he says should change for the sake the future.
"Its common for many people to grab land for their individual use and utilization but as Aimi society we want to be a role model to other organizations," said Mutua.
The society has already allocated over Sh5 million to kick off the construction of women market, home of the elderly, orphans children home.
Several well-wishers have already pledged they support to the construction of the school and dispensary which has kicked off.
A fence has already been erected in the allocated chunk of land as members appeal to well-wishers and the county government to boost the initiation of the project.
The chunk of land is in Mavoko constituency in Athi River Sub County.