Tatu City Turns Down Meeting with Governor Wamatangi

The ongoing dispute between Tatu City management and the Kiambu County Government highlights the friction that can arise between private developers and local authorities, particularly in high-stakes, large-scale projects. Tatu City, a multi-billion shilling development, is facing delays in the approval of their revised land plan, a situation that has escalated into a public confrontation.

Preston Mendenhall, the COO of Rendeavour, which owns Tatu City, has voiced strong objections to a meeting called by the Kiambu County Government, claiming it would be unproductive. Mendenhall argues that their contributions to the community, such as substantial investments and job creation, have been met with demands rather than gratitude. He cites significant support from Kiambu County residents and businesses for Tatu City’s stance.

Tatu City’s community initiatives are noteworthy. Recently, they hosted a free public event benefiting 5,000 people, supported by leading businesses. They also provide daily meals for 2,000 school children in Kiambu County and have undertaken projects to improve local schools. These efforts underscore their commitment to local development, which they feel is not reciprocated by the county government.

The root of the conflict appears to be a demand by Kiambu Governor Kimani Wamatangi for Tatu City to cede 10% of their land for public use, a demand the developers deem unconstitutional. Mendenhall suggests that the county should purchase the land if needed. The governor, however, insists that this surrender is mandated by the Physical and Land Use Planning Act 2019.

The Kenya Institute of Planners has called for investigations into the extortion allegations and for a comprehensive audit of all land surrendered to the county. They stress the importance of eliminating corruption and ensuring a seamless approval process to foster sustainable development.

This dispute brings to light the challenges faced by large-scale developments in navigating local government regulations and demands. It also highlights the critical need for transparency and adherence to legal frameworks to ensure that both private investment and public interests are adequately balanced. As this situation unfolds, the actions of both Tatu City and the Kiambu County Government will be closely watched by stakeholders in the real estate and planning sectors.