Machakos County has rejected a directive by Lands’ ministry to transfer Konza city in Kalama sub-county of Machakos to Makueni County by December 30th, 2024.
Speaking to the media at the Governor’s office, Machakos County Secretary Dr Victor Ndambuki said that they will do everything possible to stop the process and no land belonging to Machakos will be relinquished.
This is after the Ministry of lands, state department for lands and physical planning, through an internal memo, directed Machakos county to transfer Konza land records from Machakos land registry to Makueni land registry.
Hence, Ndambuki assured Machakos residents that they plan to fight the directive through all possible avenues and follow the justice system accordingly.
Machakos County will not be ceded to anyone,” said Ndambuki
On the other hand, Machakos CECM for Lands and urban housing Nathaniel Nganga reiterated that they will not accept any plans to alter Machakos boundaries and called upon the Ministry of lands to halt the process and call all stakeholders for a meeting.
“We demand the Ministry of lands to immediately halt the entire exercise of transfer of records until a consultative meeting involving all stakeholders is held,” urged Nganga.
Kalama Member of County Assembly Hon Musyimi Maeke on his part added that a public participation was held in 2010 in Kalama Sub County where signatures were taken and Kalama people chose to be under Machakos County.
Maeke noted that the purpose of devolution is to bring services close to the people and it will be unfair for Kalama people to be expected to receive services from Makueni which is about 30 km away yet Machakos is way closer.
“It is unacceptable to force people to move against their will to seek services away from their residences,” cried Maeke.
Kalama MCA further claimed that the move could be politically motivated by interested parties since there has not been any boundary dispute as indicated in the Memo.
By Anne Kangero
