President warns Kiambu leaders on petty politics

Ruto was in the county to launch 68 kilometres of Sh 2.1 billion Thika-Magumu road that had stalled for years over delayed payment of the contractor.

At the same time, President Ruto ordered the central Regional commissioner and his team to fast-track the recovery of all public property that had been grabbed.

Ruto said that his plan to revolutionise Kiambu and create thousands of jobs for the jobless youths will not be interrupted by cartels.

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua called on all elected officials to work hard and help the president achieve his goals.

At the same time, Kiambu Governor Kimani Wamatangi blamed some individuals for grabbing land meant for the housing projects.

Grabbed public land

"The problem I have in this county is for those people who have grabbed public land, there are 4.5 acres in Kiambu which half of it is owned by someone illegally," the governor said.

He called on the president to help him to fight the land grabbers saying some of them are former elected leaders in the county.

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.

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

Majority leader Kimani Ichungwa called on the Kiambu governor to name the people who he said have illegally acquired public property, derailing the housing project.

"It's very good that you have said that you know those people who have grabbed the land, bring those names to the president and stop making excuses," Ichungwa said.

Several leaders in attendance accused Wamatangi of politicising development projects, delaying to the approval of them, and refusing to release land for their establishment.

Woman Rep Ann Muratha called on Wamatangi to initiate a meeting of reconciliation among the elected leaders so as to sort out their differences.

Speaking in Narok County recently, Ruto urged those who have encroached on government forests across the country to move out.

He warned that stern action would be taken against those who will defy the directive.

He said the Ministry of Environment has been directed to ensure counties use the El Nino rains to plant trees as part of the efforts to achieve the 15 billion target by 2032.

He made the remarks on Saturday during the funeral service for Titame Ole Sankei, 98, a maternal uncle to Narok Governor Patrick Ole Ntutu, at Olopirik village, Narok West.