Portland land tussle: Machakos leaders slam CS Kuria over his eviction remarks

Led by Wiper Party Leader Kalonzo Musyoka, the leaders have maintained that they will not give in to intimidation or accept being evicted from the land.

Speaking on Wednesday at Lukenya, Kalonzo told off CS Kuria accusing him of meddling in the matter, further claiming that the company was plotting to grab the land which he says belongs to the local community.

“African Portland Company is a loss-making company marked for privatization… Let's not fall for that trap. Jiulizeni kwa nini huyu waziri anakuja mapema ata hajamaliza mwezi mmoja, kazi ya trade si ni kubwa sana?" He stated.

Governor Wavinya Ndeti echoed the Wiper leader's sentiments as she dismissed Kuria’s remarks that the occupants are squatters.

She insisted that the contested land is duly owned by the residents and that the CS should not be involved since it is a matter of the local government after the Constitution devolved the sector in 2010.

“Wacha kusema watu wetu wamezoea kugrab land, wale ambao walikua wanakaa huko Waitiki si walipewa land. Hawa watu si masquatter, hawa watu wamekaa kwa shamba lao,”  she said.

“The last time I checked, Honourable Kuria, the land was devolved, ilirudi kwako aje?” posed Wavinya.

They are now calling on President William Ruto to intervene and ensure that the occupants are protected.

Former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko on his part vowed to resist the eviction plan noting that he would request the CS to visit the area so that he can be fully briefed on the subject.

“Kalonzo and Wavinya are my brother and sister…even if am in government and they are in opposition, siwezi kubali niwe kwa serikali na watu wetu wanapigwa,” Sonko stated.

He added: “We respect President Ruto, Kalonzo and Governor Ndeti. We will request Moses Kuria to come back here and listen to our side of the story.”

Kalonzo likewise threatened to lobby protests to State House in a bid to compel President Ruto to address the issue if the CS and the company do not abort their planned eviction mission.

“Wakirudi hapa na mabulldozer tutaita wakamba wote tutoke hapa twende kwa Ruto. Mimi nitatumana kwa Rais Ruto sababu tunajua nia za Portland…they want to privatize the company so that people buy shares as members of the company so that they grab your land,” he claimed.

During the launch of a new Green Triangle Cement at Portland company on Tuesday, CS Kuria vowed to "flatten" structures erected by the said squatters saying they were hampering plans to expand the company and realize its full potential.

He said: "I know you are an irresistible force but in me, you will find an immovable object. I want NYS to start digging trenches here. Not even a centimetre of Portland land will be grabbed. If this squatter problem cannot be solved by Moses Kuria then who else can? This will be the end of them taking public land."