Kenyans have been warned against politicizing key government projects that are aimed at transforming livelihoods.

Principal Secretary (PS) State Department of Housing and Urban Development Charles Hinga decried that there is tendency of individuals moving to courts to challenge major projects initiated by government.

He said such a move is hindrance to achieving the big 4 government’s agenda including affordable Housing.

Speaking in Nakuru on Thursday when he officiated groundbreaking of affordable housing project at Kivumbini Ward, Nakuru East,the PS called on Kenyans to support government in achieving the Big 4 Agenda.

“We have individuals who have been moving to courts with huge money to block some of these projects but we shall not be intimidated as a Government. If we can stop politicizing key projects and focus on delivering in big 4 agenda in bridging the gap of those who have and those who do not have” said Hinga.

The PS lauded the Project in Kivumbini, terming it the first project under the affordable housing agenda that will show how the national government shall partner with private developer to achieve the same.

He reiterated that the focus is now on governments partnering with private sector in a move aimed at enabling private sector thrives in the country.

“Affordable Housing is not about low quality but high quality to deliver on article 43 on fundamental rights which are no negotiable. Today heralds a new chapter for Nakuru county” he said.

According to the PS the government is working towards addressing the challenges that have been there in the housing sector.

Kings Developers Limited has been awarded the project that will see 605 units constructed on the 7.5-acres-piece of land at PIDA estate of Kivumbini Ward.

Director Yusuf Hassan Ali assured that the project that will offer job opportunities to many locals will be complete within 30 months.

“This is a 605 units-project with many extra amenities and shall be completed within 30 months” he said.

Nakuru Governor Lee Kinyanjui on his part welcomed the project stating that it will see Kivumbini transformed.

According to Kinyanjui, lower part of Nakuru has been marked for urban renewal program hence called on locals to work closely with government.

“In another 20 years, we won’t have these slums anymore. Vertical space development Housing is key in ensuring enough land for agriculture. We have marked this lower part of Nakuru for Urban renewal program” he said.

Similar sentiments echoed by Area MCA Wilbur Onyango who termed the project as one of its kind in Kivumbini Ward.

The MCA appealed to the developer to also consider Corporate Social responsibility(CSR) activities towards schools and other amenities in the area.

“This is the best project ever in this Ward.My appeal is that the developer will also consider CSR for the area. As leaders from Kivumbini, Biashara and Flamingo we support this and the community will also benefit” said MCA Onyango.

The ceremony was also attended by Nakuru Deputy Governor Dr.Erick Korir,Nakuru CECs,Nakuru County Commissioner Erastus Mbui among others.

 

Three people were on Thursday morning murdered at Mzee Wanyama, Nakuru East Subcounty and their house torched to conceal evidence.

The bodies of the three were found in their rental house where diceased Alice Njeri- a teacher at nearby  St.Maria Veronica Secondary School had shifted to mid this month.

Nakuru county Deputy Police Commander Joseph Tonui said the three Alice Njeri had rib injuries sustained from a knife,her 5 year old son tangled with a cloth while their househelp Anne Wangari,45, with head injuries sustained from a brutal object.

The incident is said to have happened some minutes to 6am on Thursday just as Njeri had arrived from school.

The breakfast that was being prepared was found in the kitchen where house help Anne Wangari met her death.

Neighbours said a middle aged woman had arrived in the plot asking where teacher Njeri lived- raising eyebrows as Njeri was not known much  in the area having stayed for only 12 days.

The incident has left Simon Kimani-husband to the deceased househelp Anne Wangari in shock.

Kimani will now have to take care of their three children.

Cases of murder and houses being torched have been on the rise in Nakuru raising questions of whether it’s a move to conceal evidence.

Residents of Paul Machanga estate in Kivumbini Ward,Nakuru East sub county are up in arms following a spate of disappearances of their animals despite the presence of police officers in the area.

The locals who on Thursday woke up to a shock after a cow worth Ksh.90,000 that had disappeared was found slaughtered in one of the rooms in the PIDA estate that is now being demolished for an upgrade project.

Addressing journalists on Thursday on morning,the locals faulted the police officers form Bondeni Police station who have been manning the area being demolished for not being keen to notice the people who slaughtered the animal at the premise.

They narrated that it was ironic for such an incident to happen yet the police were on guard at the PIDA estate to avert looting of the materials such as iron sheets, timber from the demolitions.

Led by Harrison Kinyua, the locals called on police officers in the area to expedite and bring to book those behind the disappearance of their animals.

“We are shocked as residents for such to happen yet the police officers were there on guard. This shows that our security in this area is in a mess. We call for justice so that my neighbor can know who was behind this act” said Kinyua.

Sentiments echoed by Lucy Muthoni- sister to the owner of the cow that was found slaughtered by unknown people.

She cried foul in the whole incident and faulted the area Chief and Police officers for not coming out clear on the whole incident.

“The cow belonged to my brother and you cannot believe that the cow was slaughtered by civilians yet no civilian was allowed in that estate of PIDA apart from police who were on guard. Let them come out clear” she said.

Amadi Kahero from area Community policing on his part admitted that cases of disappearance of animals have been on the rise.

He called on police officers from Bondeni Police station to up their game and ensure such incidents are addressed.

“We want the truth to come out. Let us know which officers were at PIDA estate at night when the incident happened” said Kahero.

Already Mr. Dickson Maina (the owner of the animal that was slaughtered) has recorded a statement at the Bondeni Police station with OCS Derrick Wekesa who spoke to this writer at the station assuring that the matter is now under investigation.