- Juja MP Koimburi has said that the project will create job opportunities for many unemployed youths in the area.
- He said cases of land grabbing in the area are on the rise, citing the recent invasion of a public land earmarked for construction of a secondary school.
Image: JOHN KAMAU
Juja residents have welcomed government plan to construct 2,000 affordable housing units in the area.
The project will be undertaken on a prime 10-acre piece of land, situated in Nyacaba, which has been allegedly targeted several times by unscrupulous land grabbers.
Speaking during a public participation meeting organised by Juja MP George Koimburi's office to get the residents' views over the project, the residents, led by Anastacia Wanjiku, said that there have been several attempts by unknown individuals to grab the land.
"We have repulsed individuals trying to invade and fence this land because it is a public utility. The land was set aside for construction of a school [and] police station, among other facilities. We are now relieved that the government is set to initiate development projects on the parcel,” Wanjiku said.
Koimburi said that the government will lead in the construction of houses that will accommodate up to some 2,000 families.
He reiterated that the project will change the face of the area and trigger more developments, including construction of a new primary and secondary school, tarmacking of the Ndarugu-Nyacaba road, as well as installation of ample water supply.
"I recognise the unrelenting efforts by residents to protect the land. Some of the residents have been taken to court by individuals laying claim of the land but they have never given up protecting it," the lawmaker said.
"The good news is that the government has intervened and will utilise the parcel to put up vital infrastructure that will transform this area and boost the economy."
The MP also said that the project will create job opportunities for many unemployed youths in the area.
"The youth who are frustrated due to lack of jobs, resulting to them engaging in criminal activities, will get jobs once this project begins," he said.
The MP decried that cases of land grabbing in the area are on the rise, citing the recent invasion of a public land earmarked for construction of a secondary school at Muthaara in Witeithie.
"The daring grabbers had already taken building materials to the parcel but they were ejected by residents. We have set aside Sh7.5 million for construction of a secondary school on the land parcel. The school will be a relief to learners who trek for many kilometres to Nyacaba Secondary School."
At the same time, Koimburi said that he will spearhead processing of title deeds for Nyacaba residents who have resided in the area for decades without the crucial land ownership documents.
He accused land buying and selling firms that sold land parcels to the residents for failing to issue them with the title deeds.
"We are giving those who sold this land to the residents two weeks to submit the mother titles to Juja deputy county commissioner's office so that we can fast track processing of the title deeds for residents," the legislator said, adding that residents will get their title deeds in three months should all parties cooperate.
Resident Daniel Thuo said that they have been living in fear of losing their properties to grabbers due to lack of the vital documents, adding that their countless efforts to get the title deeds have been futile.
"We have even contributed money trying to get the documents but we have been unsuccessful. Now there's a light at the end of the tunnel and we hope to finally get the title deeds soon," he said.