By Martin Masai
Majority Leader Nicholas Wangondi is in the middle of a storm as works on a World Bank project come under threat.
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| Mr Nzioka |
The threat is posed by structures on a road reserve that stand on the way of the project. The County Government of Machakos, in notices sent to Wangondi, alleges that the temporary kiosks belong to him. The notice was issued on June 28,2024, giving the Majority Leader 7 days to execute the order to remove the illegal structures that encroach on the road reserve opposite the KFA, Machakos Branch.
The structure entails about 10 steel cubicles built on one line that have been rented to various business people. On the back of the structures is a property belonging to the Kenya Postal Corporation that has been rented out to local traders. Kenya Postal Corporation has also demanded that the same structures be removed in a strange twist of events.The notice to Wangondi was authorized by Mr. Evans Lumumba and was received by one Racheal Muasya, according to Inspectorate documents. She is believed to be a member of staff in Wangondi's office. The notice is addressed to Mr Nicholas Nzioka.
The county authorities had informed the Majority Leader that if he will not have removed the structures at the expiry of the notice period, they would do it themselves. As we went to press, the structures still stand with the tenants going on with their business even as a deep trench cuts through the front of the stalls.
County officials have kept aloof over the matter. The Chief Officer Enforcement Mr Munyambu, on being asked when he would enforce the notice has never picked calls from The Anchor, underlining his determination to keep off the way where the Majority Leader is named.
Other county sources, refusing to be named since they avoid any confrontation with Mr Wangondi said the county was following due process before pouncing to remove the property.
When The Anchor contacted Wangondi to ask when he will comply with the removal order, he distanced himself from being the owner of the structures. He added that even if the county authorities pulled them down, he would suffer no loss because the structure was not his. He said the county should embark on an investigation to discover to whom they belong.
The project is World Bank funded and has been dodged in controversy since Governor Wavinya Ndeti was elected, with officials eying the Kes 89m they found in the account. Due to the delay, WB has not send Kes 1b it ought to disburse to support municipalities in Machakos County.
