Residents of Kajiado County are stepping up to address the severe shortage of public land by donating private land for community projects. As the county grapples with rampant land grabbing and illegal acquisitions, a Kitengela-based family group has emerged as a beacon of hope. The Kawendo family, comprising 32 members, has allocated a quarter-acre of their land in Kitengela’s Acacia area for a public dispensary and water project. This initiative comes as Kajiado County faces an alarming shortage of public land, leaving local and national governments struggling to secure land for essential services such as health facilities, schools, and other public utilities.
Challenges of Land Grabbing in Kajiado
The issue of land grabbing in Kajiado County has become a major concern for residents and leaders alike. Public plots previously allocated by the defunct OlKejuado County Council have been encroached upon, leaving insufficient space for new developments. This has forced the county and national governments to purchase land at exorbitant prices to build essential infrastructure. The Kawendo family’s decision to set aside private land for public use is a rare act of generosity in a landscape where access to public land is becoming increasingly restricted due to population growth and illegal land deals.
Stanley Ngotho, Chairman of the Kawendo group, emphasized the importance of this initiative. “This is our third project in Kajiado County. Through our limited resources, we’ve ensured each member has a place to call home. Allocating land for public utilities is a step toward creating a better residential area and a stronger community,” he said. Ngotho’s sentiments were echoed by project manager Bernard Macharia, who urged other groups to emulate the Kawendo family. “We will partner with the county government and development organizations to construct the dispensary. The health facility will transform lives in the neighborhood,” he said.
Public-Private Partnerships and the Way Forward
The initiative by the Kawendo family has received commendation from local leaders, including Sholinke/Oloosirkon Ward MCA Stephen Kisemei Marush. He called for more Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) to address the challenges of land scarcity and development in the county. “The availability of public land has been a major challenge. I commend the Kawendo group for their selfless initiative,” said Mr. Marush. He emphasized the need for similar partnerships to not only address land issues but also to bring essential services closer to the community.
The donation of land for a dispensary and water project by the Kawendo family marks a crucial step in addressing the health and development needs of Kajiado residents. The new dispensary, once completed, is expected to transform the local healthcare landscape by providing accessible medical services to the community. The Kawendo group’s effort also highlights the critical role that private citizens can play in supplementing government efforts in providing public utilities.
A Call for Broader Community Engagement
The Kawendo family’s donation sets a precedent for other families and groups within Kajiado County to follow. As land grabbing continues to hinder development, community-driven initiatives like these are vital in securing public land for critical infrastructure. By allocating land for public use, the Kawendo family is not only ensuring that their community has access to necessary services but also setting an example of civic responsibility in a time when it is most needed.
The initiative by the Kawendo family group is a reminder that the solutions to the county’s land challenges lie not only with the government but also with the community itself. By fostering a spirit of collaboration and selflessness, residents can work together to address the pressing issues facing Kajiado County. As the county looks to the future, more public-private partnerships and community-led projects will be essential to securing the land needed for development and improving the quality of life for residents. The Kawendo family’s donation serves as a shining example of what can be achieved when individuals put the community first.
