Tatu City management has declined an invitation from the Kiambu County Government to discuss delays in approving their revised land plan, valued at Ksh.4.3 billion.
In a statement on Monday, Preston Mendenhall, Group Chief Operating Officer at Rendeavour (the company that owns and develops Tatu City), indicated that the scheduled meeting for Tuesday, July 16, at the County headquarters in Kiambu, would not address the core issues at hand. He emphasized that their grievances against the governor had garnered substantial support from Kiambu County residents and businesses.
“When investors anywhere in the world catalyze Ksh.385 billion of investment and create 20,000 jobs within a few years, they receive a 'thank you' from their local governor, rather than face extortion. Frankly, Tatu City finds itself too busy to respond to the ravings of a governor,” the statement read.
Tatu City highlighted various community projects they have undertaken, criticizing the county government for negligence. Mendenhall cited a recent free public event for 5,000 people at Tatu City, featuring health, wellness, music, and cultural activities, supported by numerous leading businesses. Additionally, he mentioned Tatu City's ongoing support for state primary schools, which he claims have been neglected by Kiambu County.
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“Currently, Tatu City feeds 2,000 Kiambu County schoolchildren daily. Over the last 10 years, we have provided more than 1.8 million free meals to Kiambu County children, mostly from the neighboring communities of BTL and Ruturo. Primary school enrollment has increased tenfold, and nutrition and exam results have significantly improved.”
Mendenhall also noted that over the weekend, a group from Tatu City renovated classrooms and created a sports pitch at a state primary school they adopted, a long-planned event to support the local community. He criticized Kiambu County for abandoning the schoolchildren.
Last week, Tatu City held a press conference accusing Governor Wamatangi and Salome Wainaina, Kiambu's County Executive for Land, of delaying the plan's approval. Wamatangi has demanded that Tatu City cede ten percent of their land for public use, which Tatu City argues is unconstitutional since they are a private developer and not legally required to comply.
Mendenhall suggested that the county government should purchase the 54 acres of land it desires. In response, Wamatangi stated that the management should surrender the land according to the Physical and Land Use Planning Act 2019.
The Kenya Institute of Planners (KIP) has weighed in, calling on authorities like the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), and the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) to investigate the extortion allegations. KIP also urged the Kiambu County Government to conduct a comprehensive audit of all surrendered land to ensure compliance with the law.
KIP President Fawcett Komollo emphasized the need to eliminate corruption and ensure a seamless approval process in the planning sector. “Planners must commit to fighting corruption by all means possible to ensure that Planning Practice and the Development of our country is accelerated and made sustainable through planning. We must work to restore our compatriots' hope in planning,” Komollo stated.
