Members of the public, especially from Murang’a and neighbouring counties, have been warned of risking being swindled their money by some individuals and groups, purporting to sell land belonging to Delmonte Company limited.
Ithanga/Kakuzi Sub-county Deputy Commissioner (DCC), Angela Makau, said the local security team received complaints from the fruit processing company of some individuals and groups, who are subdividing its parcels of land and selling it to unsuspecting Kenyans.
Makau, while speaking to KNA through a phone call, yesterday, stated some gangs have gone ahead to illegally establish a quarry in part of the land belonging to the Company.
The Administrator observed that the illegal groups are taking advantage of the ongoing lease renewal process by the Company to intrude the land.
“People are being brought from even in and out of Murang’a County. Some from Machakos and Kiambu and are being promised plots on land belonging to Delmonte,” noted the DCC.
She said the security team from the Sub-county has visited the invaded land and confirmed some people have established quarries and mounted stone cutting machines.
Makau noted with reinforcement from the county security team, they will confiscate the stone-cutting machine as well as stop the intrusion.
“Our people should be careful, Delmonte has given no land to any group and already the Company has court orders, stopping illegal quarries and intrusion of its land,” averred Makau.
The multinational company which owns more than 22, 000 acres of land which transverse Murang’a and Kiambu counties, had sometimes back shelved parts of its land to the government.
Makau confirmed that some 1, 400 acres of land was given to the government by the Company, saying the shelved land is expected to host affordable housing among other forms of development.
Some of the land has also been given to Murang’a County where the devolved Administration is planning to construct a Level-5 hospital.
Towards the end of last year, the County Government of Murang’a published a public notice, warning members of the public of being defrauded by individuals purporting to subdivide and sell land given by the Delmonte Company to the devolved Administration.
Makau observed individuals who have intruded the land are charging unsuspecting people Sh. 5, 000 for registration and Sh. 50, 000 for a share of 50 by 100 plot.
The DCC promised that together with other relevant security stakeholders, will ensure no illegal invasion of private land takes place and asked agencies involved with renewal of the Company’s land lease to finalize the matter and put it in the open, so as to bring members of the public in the know and save them from fraudsters.
By Bernard Munyao
