This archive report was first published on 15 May 2020.
On May 15, 2020, the government compulsorily acquired 100 acres of land in Kirinyaga for the Sh15 billion Kenya Medical Research Institute (Kemri) centre project, ending a long-standing tussle between the national government and Kirinyaga County Government.
The acquisition brings to an end the acrimonious fallout between Governor Anne Waiguru and Interior Principal Secretary Karanja Kibicho, who have been at loggerheads over the land.
Lands Principal Secretary Nicholas Muraguri confirmed that the government had cancelled the title deed held by Kirinyaga County Government and issued a fresh one to Kemri.
According to Muraguri, the government had engaged the National Lands Commission (NLC) in seeking a new title deed after the tussle with the county government escalated.
"Yes, we have at the ministry, through the advice of the Cabinet, cancelled the title deed that the Kirinyaga administration has been holding on and issued a fresh one in the name of Kemri so that the project can kick off," said Muraguri.
The PS showed a copy of the title deed issued on April 16 for the parcel ref: Mwea/ Mutithi/strip 1449 that measures 40.29ha (100 acres) and which he said funds would be released to commence the project without further delay.
Locals MPs Kabinga Wachira (Mwea), Gichimu Githinji (Gichugu) and Munene Wambugu (Kirinyaga Central) welcomed the cancellation of the county title deed.
"It is now time to change the narrative from that of endless tussles to now canvass in Parliament for the release of capital to oversee this project," said Mr Wachira.
