Demolition order contradicts Kibaki word

By ALEX NDEGWA

Information Minister Samuel Poghisio has urged the Government and owners of the property earmarked for compulsory acquisition along Mombasa Road and Waiyaki Way to negotiate a workable solution.

The minister said though the plan to develop infrastructure was noble, losing investments was regrettable.

"We (the ministry) are an interested party because part of the property (earmarked for demolition) is intended for use as Business Process Outsourcing centre," Poghisio said yesterday, alluding to the Sameer Business Park. He spoke at his office in Nairobi after a meeting with newly appointed members of the Media Council of Kenya.

Sameer Business Park, whose construction, President Kibaki inaugurated, is earmarked for demolition. [PHOTO: STAFFORD ONDEGO/STANDARD]

Unable to compensate

Meanwhile, President Kibaki has been challenged to live to his words that his Government will protect private investors. Two years ago, when he inaugurated the construction of the Sameer building, part of the property to be flattened in the takeover plan, Kibaki vowed to protect them.

Kibaki laid the foundation stone for the Sameer Business Park on October 30, 2008, ironically, the same year the Government reportedly came up with the new map for land acquisition on Mombasa Road to pave the way for the Nairobi Urban Toll Road Concession project.

He reiterated Government’s determination to make Kenya the top Business Process Outsourcing destination in Africa over the next five years, to create a new source of high quality jobs for the youth and expand the portfolio of industries and sectors.