This archive report was first published on 7 September 2019.
On September 7, 2018, the Kiambu county government signed an agreement with Del Monte Kenya Limited to renew the land lease for another 99 years. However, the deal has been met with opposition from elected leaders in the county.
The agreement, which was seen by The Nation, required Del Monte to cede 690 acres of non-arable land to the county for various projects, including the expansion of Thika town and the construction of industrial parks and an airport. However, one year after the agreement was signed, none of these projects have taken off.
Thika Town MP Patrick Wainaina has expressed concerns that the acreage of land ceded to the county may have been grossly understated. He has petitioned the National Land Commission to survey the land afresh and has called on Del Monte to hold a field day to ascertain the area they are not using.
Del Monte chief executive Stergios Gkaliamoutsas has denied allegations that he used his closeness with Governor Waititu to expedite the renewal of the lease. He also denied ignoring concerns raised by local leaders, stating that Del Monte operated in a legally compliant manner and in good faith.
