Machakos County is making headlines again, and not for the right reasons.
Governor Wavinya Ndeti finds herself in hot water after details surfaced about a secretive land grant to the Ooni of Ife, a traditional king from Nigeria, during a recent “Investment Forum in Machakos.”
The king’s visit, marketed as an investment opportunity, involved a proposal to build a new city in Machakos, complete with an airport. The catch? Machakos residents were never consulted.
Machakos Governor Hon. Wavinya Ndeti. Photo: The Standard Digital Source: Facebook
The decision was allegedly approved at the cabinet level, leaving locals in the dark. Concerns are mounting that the community could lose land, echoing fears sparked by the controversial JKIA-Adani deal whistleblower Nelson Amenya.
His remarks, “Namna gani hapa wueh buana. Which country is this?” capture the disbelief many feel.
Adding fuel to the fire, the Ooni of Ife hails from the same clan as Wavinya Ndeti’s late husband, who was a Nigerian prince. This familial connection has led to allegations of favoritism and personal gain.
Critics argue that the “Investment Forum” was more of a family affair, with Machakos footing the bill for the royal entourage’s week-long stay at the high-end Radisson Blu Hotel in Kilimani, where costs reportedly ran sky-high.
The controversy deepens with whispers of the king’s involvement in Kenya’s Affordable Housing project.
The Machakos County government has allegedly provided free building materials from local quarries for this venture, while ordinary Kenyans struggle to access the same resources. This revelation raises questions about equity and fairness.
Further complicating matters are reports linking the Ooni of Ife’s companies to one of the biggest fraud scandals in Nigeria’s real estate sector. With such a track record, skeptics are questioning his intentions in Kenya and the viability of the projects he’s associated with.
As public scrutiny intensifies, whistleblower Amenya’s comparison to the JKIA-Adani deal feels alarmingly apt. The situation has sparked calls for transparency and accountability, with many urging Kenyans to ask tough questions.
Is this deal in Machakos for the people, or for personal gain?
