Hundreds of parents and community members of Esani secondary school in Kitutu Masaba constituency convened at the institution’s compound to resolve an ownership crisis that had threatened closure of the institution.
On Tuesday, community members were unanimous that they contributed towards clearing one of the members who had given a larger portion of the land towards the construction of the institution in return of some payment.
According to a section of community leaders, they promised to pay Sh500,000 in a period of 15 years as compensation to Mr Kepha Omanga who had given 1.5-acre piece of land to the institution.
“It is true that we had agreed to give the initial owner some payment following his generosity to give us a large piece of land. The land was valued Sh3 million by them so it was a relief to the community but we haven’t paid 16 years down the line,” said Alex Omwebu on behalf of the residents.
Mr Omanga, through his lawyer, had notified the school through writing on his intention to sue the institution to court following the violation of the agreement.
“We received a letter that would have seen us engage in court battles which we would have definitely lost. That is why I notified members of the community and other friends to help us solve the matter by contributing,” said school principal Moses Ombati.
They pleaded with the initial owner to give the institution two months to clear the outstanding debt.
“We are not in a land crisis at all as some rumours are being spread across the neighbourhood. We are ready to honor the payment and that will be done in the next two months. He agreed to give a huge section of his land because it is at a strategic position,” said school chairman Finlay Ongiri.
They proposed to collect Sh1,000 from every parent who had a child in the institution besides urging area leaders to chip in and help resolve the matter before it escalated.