Irony abounds: East African Portland Cement sells mavoko land amid ongoing demolitions
Amidst ongoing demolitions in Mavoko, Machakos County, East African Portland Cement (EAPC Plc) has announced the sale of some of its land parcels located along Namanga Road.
In a newspaper notice published on October 17, 2023, the state-owned company intended to sell specific land parcels using a regularization model.
The parcels up for sale are identified as LR NO. 8784/144, 145 and 653 in Mavoko.
In the notice, EAPC Plc states that it will prioritize the occupants currently residing on these parcels.
Those in this category are encouraged to assert their ownership within 14 days from the date of this notice.
The parcels being sold are different from those illegally grabbed and demolished, which are LR.NOS. 10424, 7813/1, 8784//4, 8786, 337/194, and 337/195, located at Athi River, Mavoko constituency.
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Ironically, the land sale coincides with the ongoing demolitions in the same area, despite strong condemnation from local leaders and the public.
Prominent figures like Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka and Machakos County Governor Wavinya Ndeti have criticized the demolitions and called on President William Ruto to intervene and halt the exercise.
The government has authorized these demolitions, asserting that the land in question is public property.
Governor Wavinya Ndeti personally reached out to President Ruto to request a halt to the demolitions, but the president was on a state visit to China at the time.
EAPC Plc has established a site and office for land-selling purposes within the property to facilitate potential buyers.
The notice clarifies that parcels not claimed by the occupants and repurchased by the specified date will be competitively offered to the general public on a willing buyer, willing seller basis.
These demolitions have resulted in victims losing properties valued at billions of shillings as bulldozers bring down houses and premises while under tight police watch.
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