Kiambu Governor Wamatangi refutes Tatu City's allegations in land use dispute

In a detailed statement issued on Thursday, the Governor outlined the County’s stance and reaffirmed its commitment to lawful land use and public utility allocation.

Tatu City, a prominent development encompassing approximately 5,000 acres, has been at the center of controversy following their application to revise their master plan. The revised plan proposed a reduction of land reserved for public amenities from 406 acres to 103 acres. This move has drawn criticism from the County Government, which insists that the allocation for public use should be 10%, translating to 500 acres.

In his statement, Governor Wamatangi emphasized the County’s commitment to supporting investors while adhering to legal frameworks.

"First and foremost, my administration values, respects, and appreciates all investors in Kiambu County and we have a policy to support them all," he said. "It is uncustomary for us to address our investors through a press conference. We are however compelled to do so since Mr. Preston Mendenhall, the Chief Operating Officer of Tatu City decided to break this unwritten rule."

Governor Wamatangi highlighted the legal basis for the County’s demands, citing the Physical and Land Use Planning Act 2019 and the Physical and Land Use Planning Regulations 2021. 

"The law mandates private developers allocate land for public facilities such as schools, hospitals, fire stations, recreational areas, police stations, playgrounds, and other public utilities. That is what we are demanding from Tatu City," he asserted.

The Governor also clarified that the County's request for land is strictly for public utility purposes, countering Tatu City's allegations of seeking land for private use. "It is insincere for the management of Tatu City to claim that we are seeking land for private use," Wamatangi stated. "Contrary to their allegations, my administration is not seeking land for personal or individual use."