Kirinyaga governor hopeful Anne Waiguru in a past event. She has vowed to smoke out land grabbers if elected governor. [Photo: niaje.com]
Kirinyaga governor hopeful Anne Waiguru has vowed to smoke out and deal firmly with land grabbers if elected in the August 8 general election.
Waiguru claims that public land grabbing is rife in the county and has stalled development.
In an interview with the People Daily, the former Devolution Cabinet Secretary (CS) alleged that influential individuals have grabbed public land meant for public projects.
Waiguru claimed influential people have grabbed a parcel of land meant for construction of a research centre in Kimbimbi, Kirinyaga County.
“Land grabbers should prepare themselves because I will not tolerate or negotiate with them if I win the governor seat,” she said as quoted by the People Daily.
Waiguru accused the incumbent governor Joseph Ndathi of tolerating grabbers.
She claimed that Ndathi’s government has not passed any laws or policies to protect locals from land grabbers.
“It is unfortunate that my friend Ndathi has been unable to protect the county from influential land grabbers who are roaming the county with the intention of stealing public land,” she said.
Waiguru said that she will streamline land matters in 100 days if elected.
She said that her first agenda will be to seek title deeds for locals who genuinely own land. Waiguru urged locals to support her gubernatorial bid promising to address their issues.
The former CS pledged to supply clean water to locals, improve road infrastructure and promote irrigation farming. She also pledged to create jobs for thousands of unemployed youths.
Waiguru, who won the Jubilee Party ticket is seeking to send Ndathi home on August 8. Ndathi is contesting as an independent candidate.
Former Gichugu MP Martha Karua is also in the race vying on her Narc Kenya Party ticket.