State House Comptroller Katoo ole Metito has revealed that most State Houses and State Lodges’ land have fallen into the hands of land grabbers, hampering the process of renovating them.
Katoo, who appeared before the National Assembly Committee on Administration and Internal Security, told MPs that they have recovered 100 acres in Kakamega, with their next focus being Nakuru and Kisumu.
MPs have also raised concerns over the construction of multi-storey buildings next to State Houses and State Lodges, which they say poses a security threat.
In his appearance before the committee, Katoo ole Metito revealed that State Houses and Lodges land are in the wrong hands.
Katoo said hundreds of acres of land have been grabbed in different counties, a situation that has hindered planned renovations.
“Almost all these State Lodges and State Houses… their land was really encroached, so it is a process. We are trying one by one. Even the Eldoret one we did, we had to repossess it from the club,” said Metito.
MPs, who questioned the audacity of the grabbers, told the State House Comptroller to give particular attention to Nakuru State House and Kisumu State Lodge, where encroachment poses a security threat.
“When we went to Kisumu, despite some renovations that have taken place, there was a lot of land dispute. It is being said that part of State Lodge has been taken up by the county government; actually, one house was occupied by a nominated MCA,” said Gabriel Tongoyo, Chairman of the Committee on Administration and Internal Security.
The MPs have also directed that a multi-storey building under construction next to State House, Nakuru, be stopped.
Katoo, who was put to task over State House’s request for more allocation after being given KSh11 billion out of the proposed KSh20 billion in the next budget, defended the use of cash at State House. He stated that they spend over KSh120 million during national holidays held outside the city.
“On average, we spend KSh123 million per function, and the minimum number of guests is 4,500. So when you talk of costs of tents, food, you know…,” he said.
The State House Comptroller said they are implementing 13 projects in State Houses and State Lodges.
