Kongoni Member of County Assembly (MCA) in Likuyani sub county Josphat Kititi Mwasame has urged the County government of Kakamega to ensure residents are fully involved in development projects in order to avoid unnecessary conflicts arising from the public.
Speaking during a public baraza held at Makokha dam to address complaints from residents who accused the County government of Kakamega of intruding into theirs land during the reclamation of the dam which had been encroached by the neighbouring resident and opening the road to the dam, Mwasame said it would be better for a public participation meeting to be steered before carrying on such projects.
He said it was regrettable after reclaiming the dam the County government went ahead to open the road on private land without consent of the owners destroying property valued at thousands of shillings.
“It is disappointing that some residents whose farms are far away from the dam were ambushed by a bulldozer which destroyed their property while opening the road to the dam,” said Mwasame.
Addressing the baraza, the County Executive Committee Member for Land, Housing, Urban Areas and Physical planning Robert Kundu Makhanu who spearheaded the repossession of the dam and the opening of the road apologized for the damage caused on private lands and promised compensation from the County government.
He, however, warned those who have encroached on public utility plots to vacate with immediate effect say his ministry has launched a process of reclaiming all PI plots.
