January 28, 2022, marked a significant development in the land ownership dispute between the County Government of Bungoma and the Lake Victoria North Water Works Development Agency.
The dispute revolves around the construction of a Kshs. 140 million dairy processing factory on National Government land reserved for the Ministry of Water Sanitation and Irrigation.
The land in question housed the LVNWWDA water offices and other assets, which were demolished by the county contractor.
Speaking on the matter, IGRTC alternative dispute resolution chairman Alfred Khang'ati emphasized the importance of amicably resolving the dispute, citing the county government's failure to follow the right procedure in acquiring the property.
According to Khang'ati, the county government has started engaging both parties to reach an understanding that will enable the people of Bungoma to access essential services.
One possible solution is for the county government to compensate the water agency with alternative land for the use, which Khang'ati believes is the role of IGRTC to employ mediation mechanisms in solving intergovernmental disputes.
IGRTC's mediation approach is cheaper than taking the matter to court, which would strain government resources.
The Webuye Milk Processing Plant, commissioned in 2019 by Governor Wycliffe Wangamati, is now complete and ready to offer market to Bungoma dairy farmers.
The plant has a capacity to produce approximately 40,000 liters of milk per day.
