Gilgil community elders decry alleged land grabbing

The Gilgil Council of Elders has raised concern over alleged attempts by a private developer to grab a 20-acre piece of land that had been set aside for the construction of a cultural center at Gilgil, Nakuru County.

According to the chairman of the council, Harrison Waweru, the land was donated by former cabinet minister Njenga Karume and was set aside to preserve the cultural heritage of the Agikuyu community.

“This land belongs to Gilgil Cultural Association and the Kiama elders, as the custodians we do not want to see what we have protected all this time taken away by this developer. We have documents to prove the land is ours,” he stressed.

The chairman claimed that the private developer who owns a sizeable piece of land in the area intends to build a university.

“She wants us to go to court so that we can start the long battles but we are not prepared to go that route, we want the government to amicably solve the situation so we can develop this center,” he added.

Another elder, Elijah Mbugua, clarified that plans of constructing several amenities on the land are underway, adding that the center will help the community learn about their cultural heritage.

“We plan to build a hospital, an Initiation Centre for young boys as well as a training center that will be used to help the boys develop good morals upon initiation,” he said.

The elders have now called upon the government to intervene on the matter.