EACC to help recover 2,000 acres of land belonging to Egerton University grabbed by private developers
According to the Vice Chancellor, the 2,000 acres of farm land belonging to Egerton have been illegally grabbed by persons who have gone as far as acquiring documentation to prove ownership, and any attempts by the university to reclaim and develop the land have been met with resistance and sometimes violence
The National Assembly Committee on Public Investments Committee on Governance and Education has promised to write to the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) to help Egerton University regain 2000 acres of land lost to a private developer.
Speaking during a visit by the Committee to the institution, Bumula MP and Chairperson Wanami Wamboka said the land ownership wrangles have frustrated the Management for years to the point that they cannot undertake any income-generating activities on the parcel.
He promised that together with other committees, they’ll ensure a lasting solution to the wrangle is achieved.
“Land ownership wrangles have frustrated the Management for years to the point that they cannot undertake any income-generating activities on the parcel. We shall recommend the coming together of three Committees – Lands, Security, and PIC on Governance & Education- to apply concerted efforts to resolve the matter, to visit the land and find a lasting solution,” the chairman stated.
The remarks by Wanami came after the Egerton University Vice Chancellor Isaack Kibwage appealed to the Public Investments Committee on Governance and Education to help resolve a land ownership dispute that has derailed the institution’s development agenda for a protracted period.
According to the Vice Chancellor, the 2,000 acres of farm land belonging to Egerton have been illegally grabbed by persons who have gone as far as acquiring documentation to prove ownership, and any attempts by the university to reclaim and develop the land have been met with resistance and sometimes violence.
“This land ownership matter is very big and sensitive, but the land belongs to the University, and as MPs, we shall do everything possible to enable its restoration to the institution,” assured chairman Wamboka.
Asserting the seriousness with which the Committee has taken the matter, the Chairman revealed a plan to have a multi-sectoral approach to resolving the stalemate that has curtailed Egerton’s chances of undertaking any farming activities to help generate income to supplement Government funding.
The committee was at the Institution to probe the stalling of seven projects valued at Sh435,545,277 after contractors pulled out due to non-payments.
Other matters addressed are procurement irregularities, and the diversion of Sh600million from development funds by the Finance Officer to recurrent expenditure (payment of salaries), also raised concerns among the Legislators who termed it as illegal.
