President William Ruto over the weekend waded into seething Kiambu political wars declaring that no one in the county will stop his development plan.

Ruto who spoke at Kamwangi village in Gatundu North insisted that his plan to revolutionize Kiambu and create thousands of jobs for the unemployed youths will not be interrupted by cartels.

He singled out insatiable land grabbers whom he said have stalled establishment of affordable housing, special economic zones and aggregation centres that his government hopes will create thousands of employment opportunities for the locals.

Most public utilities, he said, have been held captive by mighty cartels encompassing former leaders who have reportedly built high-rise buildings on them.

As such, the Head of State ordered the central region and Kiambu County commissioner to fast-track recovery of all public property stolen by grabbers.

“We will not allow political wars to happen in Kiambu, we don’t want political squabbles here. The electorates did their part by electing us and the debt we have to pay is to serve them, to build good roads, markets, houses, connect with water and electricity for posterity,” he stated.

“No one will stop my development plan for Kiambu County. There is no two ways about it, development projects must be done in Kiambu. We will build affordable houses, markets, roads and all other projects no matter what.  Anyone who will stop my plan will face me, developments in Kiambu are not negotiable with anybody. All the cartels who are blocking projects including land grabbers should start moving out,” added Ruto.

His visit in Gatundu North Constituency where he launched the Sh 2.1 billion Thika-Magumu road was turned into a political field as Kiambu leaders traded words before his presence accusing governor Kimani Wamatangi of being the major bottleneck for the national government’s development plan.

One after the other, the leaders led by MPs George Koimburi of Juja, Trizah Wanjiru (nominated), John Kiragu (Limuru), Kimani Ichung’wa (Kikuyu) and senator Karungo Thang’wa accused Wamatangi of politicizing development projects, delaying to approve them and refusing to release land for their establishment.

This, they stated, has slowed the pace at which Ruto is undertaking implementation of national-government-funded projects thereby hurting locals who should be benefitting from them.

“Stop seeking excuses as to why national government projects are not happening at the rate they should. If you know the land grabbers, reveal them to the President today for action now,” said MP Ichung’wa.

“The challenge behind the slowed establishment of projects such as affordable houses lie at the county headquarters. Wamatangi has refused to approve construction of national government projects. I urge you to intervene and tell the governor to expedite the approvals to facilitate commencement of the projects,” said Koimburi.

“Let us stop politicizing land in Kiambu county. If there are persons who have grabbed the land meant for development, I am ready to deal with them head on at the senate,” said senator Thang’wa/

But when he took the microphone, Wamatangi detailed that his government was committed to working with the national government to implement all the projects as desired, blaming the delay to massive theft of public property by known cartels.

Wamatangi urged President Ruto to intervene to have the cartels ordered to surrender everything belonging to the public to facilitate infrastructural development.

He vowed to work with the local authorities in bringing to book the cartels and resolving theft of land meant for use in the establishment of public utilities.

“The major problem I have been having is theft of public property by cartels and criminals. Everywhere we decide to build something, we always find that mighty and rich people including former leaders have built high-rise apartments. We will work with the county and regional commissioners to deal with the challenge,” said Wamatangi.

On his part, Ruto said he will be returning to the county after two months to launch various projects including affordable housing and urged Wamatangi to work with the relevant ministry to actualize the plan.

Wamatangi has been walking a tightrope trying to calm heightened political wars from the MCAs and MPs who want him to change or ship out.

His nemesis have been accusing him of highhandedness, incompetence, failed leadership, abuse of office, misappropriation of funds and unliterary running the county affairs.

His challengers finger him for reportedly failing to deliver for the people, a year since he assumed the position.

Ends…………/

Please follow and like us: