Kiambu Governor Kimani Wamatangi has refuted extortion claims leveled against by the Tatu City management.
The Governor accused the company of attempting to tarnish his name and that of Kiambu county officials by implicating them in extortion allegations.
Speaking during a press conference held at the County headquarters, Wamatangi demanded a public apology from the Tatu City CEO failure to which he will seek court redress.
The Governor noted that Tatu City was legally required to surrender 500 acres, which is 10 percent of its 5,000-acre land, for public use.
“What the County Government of Kiambu has requested from Tatu City, as a condition for the review and approval of the Master Plan, is the reservation and utilisation of public amenities not for private use,” said Wamatangi.
“The requested public amenities include 10 acres for social housing to cater to the low-cadre workers operating within the industrial park and residential areas, such as those working in the industries, housekeepers, cleaners, security personnel and their families,” he added
He detailed the requested public amenities, which include 44 acres for a stadium, 7.2 acres for a community center, 5.3 acres for a social hall, 4.8 acres for a hospital, and 2 acres for administration offices.
Additionally, 2 acres were requested for the Governor’s Official Residence, which Wamatangi clarified is a statutory requirement under the Salaries and Remuneration Commission regulations.
However, Tatu City’s investor insists that the county must purchase the land, arguing that the law does not require them to surrender land free of charge.
Tatu City CEO Preston Mendenhall stated that the county government demanded 40 acres valued at Ksh4.3 billion, maintaining that the county must pay if the land is to be surrendered.
Wamatangi now says contrary to claims by Mendenhall that his administration was scaring away investments, he was ready to work with all developers including Tatu City.
