Kisumu City Manger Doris Ombara has sounded an alarm over the grabbing of city land and assets by influential personalities. Ombara said those involved are senior politicians and clergy people, amongst other individuals who are untouchables. She said the issue is sensitive and she has tried to keep off yet the grabbing continues unabated. “I have kept off [the] land issue since I joined the city six months ago. I don’t want to be seen as the only person fighting this grabbing,” she said. Ombara mentioned estates that have been grabbed and called for a concerted effort by Kisumu people to reclaim back the grabbed land and assets of the city. Speaking in Kisumu, Ombara said prime land that was meant for development in the city has been grabbed and the county will soon lack space to offer investors. The city manager said they are not able to generate revenue from the assets that have been grabbed. “Our revenue base is dwindling and this is as a result of the grabbing of our assets and land. We are unable to get maximum revenue,” she said. Ombara said Governor Jack Ranguma has been accused of collecting little revenue yet land and assets that could boost the revenue collection have been grabbed by individuals.

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