The National Irrigation Authority has agreed to cede part of its 12,630 acre land at the Tana Irrigation Scheme in Tana River County for the expansion of Hola town and settlements.
The NIA Deputy Manager in charge of Corporate Services Daniel Atula told the Public Petitions Committee of the National Assembly that they were in the process of identifying the areas to be ceded off that fall under the 2,000 acres agreed.
“That particular parcel of land within the larger 12,630 acres can now be ceded to allow the town expansion through a proper channel and we are not opposed to that. It is important now to take stock of where the boundaries are and identify the targeted parcels,” he said.
Hola town, which is the County headquarters, has had a challenge of expansion since all the land in the area belongs to the NIA and most County and National government infrastructure and installations are within the NIA land.
The Public Petitions Committee chaired by Kitui East MP Nimrod Mbai which toured the county on Friday, is working on a petition by Galole MP Said Hiribae who wants the government to degazette the Hola Irrigation Scheme land to allow the expansion of the County headquarters.
“The NIA has agreed to the prayer by MP for Galole to shelve off 2,000 acres so that it can create room for the town of Hola to expand and that has been minuted and the committee will table the report in parliament for adopted when adopted the ministry will directly degazette the 2,000 acres and the land will revert to the county government who will now allocate to various institutions and individuals,” Mbai said.
In his petition, he said that the scheme was gazette in 1960 for settlement of Mau Mau freedom fighters and residents of Tana River but its closeness to Hola town has challenged the expansion of the town.
“In a bid to address this long standing challenge, officials of the National Government and the County government of Tana River, the National Irrigation Authority, Members of Parliament, the National Land Commission and other stakeholders met in Hola on 15th July 2021 and mutually agreed to degazette 2,000 acres in the southern and eastern parts of the Scheme to facilitate expansion of Hola Town,” Hiribae stated in his petition.
Hiribae urged residents to be patient as the matter was being addressed.
Locals said that they will not allow to be displaced to other areas and that they should be settled wherever they are.
“Compensations is not an option and the occupied parcels should be within the 2,000 acres. You cannot claim that the NIA will demolish a house worth Sh. 2 million then compensate the owner,” said Chekea Komora from Chewani village.
Mohamed Didha who is a former assistant chief of Chewani Sub location said that the population had grown from about 3,000 when the scheme started to the current population of more than 10,000 people hence the 2,000 acres ceded should be increased.
“We are too crowded and it will be better if the 2,000 acres will be increased so that we get enough land to settle on.
Chewani MCA Hamisi Iddi said that the NIA land should be devolved since all land is devolved according to the constitution.
His sentiments were echoed by Deputy Governor Mahat Ali Koka.
Join our community and solve the Puzzling fun with our range of crosswords
We are building some fun puzzles to put your problem-solving skills to the test and we want you to have a blast while you're at it!
Share your email and we’ll serve up new puzzles with your morning coffee.
Do you want to help shape the features we prioritize? Take a Survey to help us understand what matters to you most
Begin SurveyAM Live is NTV's morning current affairs show that sets the agenda for the day with insightful panels every weekday.
Business Redefined is Kenya’s premier thought leadership platform for unpacking matters regarding economic and finance policy as well demystifying complex developments in the region’s capital markets.
This is Daily Politics. Here we look into the ins and outs of everything Kenyan politics. We pull no punches and have no reason to sugarcoat anything that matters to Kenyans.
A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula
A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula
Gumzo La Sato is a live social issues show that aims to create awareness about issues affecting the larger society. The discussions range from Parenting, Marital bliss and struggles, Oppression, violence, and all matters of the Heart.
Health Diary is a weekly show that highlights different types of diseases/conditions and seeks ways to prevent, treat/manage them. The show debunks this through real life stories and also feature specialists in different fields, to offer medical advice on the same.
Letter To My Younger Self is a podcast where guests get to write a letter to their younger self, from which Maxine formulates questions to ask them during the hour-long show.
Nation Reports is a weekly podcast offers an opportunity for listeners to interact with various reporters and journey with them as they unravel the biggest most emotive stories.
Paradise Lost peeks through the story of Louis Otieno, the times, and everything in between.
Speaking of Gen Z brings you entertaining but meaningful conversations about a generation that is trying to navigate through adulthood. Join hosts Michelle, Jackie and Esther as they unravel all things Gen Z.
Sport-On is a 30-minute sports magazine show on NTV and 3 hours on NATION FM. The show seeks to give the sports “fanatics” and “funatics” comprehensive and in-depth coverage of sports both locally and internationally.
Thamani is a business show which is dedicated to emerging issues regarding micro, small and medium size businesses.
A two-hour-long live show that airs on Fridays. The show focuses on what is current in the entertainment industry, controversial and popular across all media platforms targeting those aged between 25 and 35 years.
The trend podcast highlights and captures the best of banter from #TTTT segment that airs every Friday on NTV. It's the TTTT EXTRA
The Wicked Edition with Dr. King’ori seeks to address serious issues through humour and relatable wit. It is a two-part half hour show filmed in front of a live audience
A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula
Twende is a travel show that highlights beautiful, unique, diverse locations, people, and cultures. The show offers fresh perspectives on familiar locations and memorable experiences in new ones.
This Saturday evening lifestyle show lets viewers share their stories and life experiences as openly & honestly for the purpose of shifting the culture of silence.
VIP ACCESS is Anyiko Owoko’s YouTube and podcast show on Music and Culture dedicated to promoting Africa’s most promising talent and creatives. This podcast grants you VIP access into timeless interviews while providing a platform for rising as well as established artists across the continent. Since launching in 2018, Anyiko has interviewed over 70 African music stars.
This weekly news show aims to have all sides of debate but not be constrained by it, listen to main voices in the contest but not allow them to hold the viewers hostage, entertain debate but allow push back with all due respect.
In this podcast, three widowers openly speak about the process of grief, how they found themselves exposed to the emotional turmoil of losing their wives, and how society still does not know how to deal with them.
Your World is a health, wellness and variety show. It provides a platform for audiences and experts to share their experiences on how to improve or manage health issues, across Kenya and the Africa region.
