Trans Nzoia county government is seeking partnerships with national government departments in an effort to acquire land for the expansion of the town.
Speaking during a County Development Implementation and Coordination Committee (CDICC) meeting at the county commissioners office Tuesday, county secretary Sifuna Wakofula said that the partnership is geared towards lease agreements that will see them expand the town that is too small to accommodate a surging population.
According to Wakofula, most government land within the town was grabbed by private developers pushing the county to a small area that he could not immediately establish.
Kitale town is surrounded by government departments and parastatals that include Kenya Railways, Kitale Prisons, KEMRI and Kitale Museum among others.
He asked the national government to help the devolved unit acquire lease for Railway land that is within the town to plan for its expansion.
Speaking during the same function, Kenya Railway security liaison officer in charge of North Rift Mr. Nicholas Mutunga hailed the co-operation between the national government and Kenya Railways that saw them repossess 156 acres.
The eviction that took place over the weekend saw over 3,000 traders evicted from Kenya Railway land.
According to Mutunga, only those with long leases were spared from the eviction that has left traders counting their losses.
He said that already, his corporation had commenced re-establishment of beacons that are not visible and the fencing of Railway land. The evictions were also done at Maili Saba, Sirende and Mois Bridge.
Trans Nzoia county commissioner who chaired the meeting encouraged the county government to strive to get into partnership that will see business parks established in Kitale. Such business parks will give hope to traders who were evicted and have nowhere to carry out their business.
The county commissioner asked the Chamber of commerce to take inventory of all people affected by demolitions for future considerations, noting that market stalls that are part of the Suam- Kitale road contract will help the affected traders.
by Pauline Ikanda
