Written By Vanessa Kariuki ||
Ministry of Investments, Trade and Industry plans to set up a construction materials industrial park dubbed Ujenzi Park on East African Portland Cement Company (EAPCC) land in Athi River.
Dr. Juma Mukhwana, the PS for Industry, revealed this information while appearing before the National Assembly Committee on Trade and Industry to respond to inquiries regarding the revival of the East African Portland Cement.
According to Dr. Mukhwana, the company needs assistance to deal with the squatters on its property so that it may concentrate on manufacturing.
The area in question has historically served as a battlefield for clashes between numerous strong land cartels, which have resulted in numerous casualties and disfigurements.
Before, the business started a legal settlement process for the dozens of squatters who were occupying a portion of its land.
The three parcels of property, totalling 709 acres, had been put up for sale for regularization by the cement manufacturer.
For the 40 by 80 and 100 by 50 plots, there would be a KSh100,000 administrative fee, plus another KSh 500,000 over the course of three years.
Squatters were originally required to pay the compensation within a year, but after further negotiations, the time frame was changed to three years.
The government-owned cement company was looking to collect KSh45 billion by selling off hundreds of acres of idle land in order to pay off outstanding loans and renovate the Athi River facility.
