Gov’t returns Kenyatta University land as DP Gachagua apologises to VC Wainaina

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua says Kenyatta University land at the centre of the ouster and re-appointment of Vice-Chancellor Prof. Paul Wainaina will be reverted back to the institution's ownership.

The deputy president apologized to Prof. Wainaina over what he termed as public humiliation by the previous administration.

Speaking during the 52nd graduation at the university on Friday, DP Gachagua said the land belongs to the university, adding that the government will procedurally allocate some acres to Kamae squatters.

“We have hence instructed the Ministry of Land to cancel those allocations and reinstate the land to Kenyatta University. We have agreed that the land revert to KU, save for 38 acres that will be procedurally and in accordance with the law be given to the squatters of Kamae, the rest of the land remains for KU and must be preserved as such for the university and for posterity,” said the DP.

Former President Uhuru Kenyatta had ordered the institution's management to cede almost half of it's 1000 acre piece of land.

In a series of letters signed by former Head of Public Service Joseph Kinyua, Prof. Wainaina and his council were ordered to surrender the title deed or consent to the Ministry of Lands to allow sub-division of 410 acres of land.

The former Head of State’s Cabinet had agreed to allocate the World Health Organization (WHO) 30 acres from the land; 10 acres was meant to go to Africa CDC program, 180 acres was given to K.U hospital and another 190 acres was meant to settle the Kamae squatters.

Prof. Wainaina refused to cede the land, a decision that led to his sacking and dissolution of the council.

DP Gachagua lauded the institution’s management for what he said was standing firm despite threats by the former regime over the land tussle.

“Prof. Wainaina and the Senate, on behalf of the Republic of Kenya and the political leadership, we want to apologize to you and your family and the Kenyatta University fraternity for the humiliation you were accorded for standing firm to refuse the land of Kenyatta University to be grabbed,” said the DP.

Following Gachagua’s pronouncement, the fate of the WHO’s regional operations and logistics hub that was commissioned by former President Kenyatta hangs in the balance.

While presiding over the ground breaking of the emergency hub in july, Kenyatta said the hub would be equipped with emergency medical personnel, commodities and equipment to support countries with emergencies in Eastern Africa.