Trump promise Sh 3 Billion referral hospital for Murang'a County as Uhuru orders Del Monte lease renewal

Del Monte land.

The US President Donald Trump offers a Sh 3 billion teaching and referral hospital for Murang’a County over the ongoing talks for renewal of a land lease for American Thika-based food processor Del Monte.


American ambassador to Kenya Kyle McCarter has petitioned Nairobi to speed up the lease renewal to facilitate the commencement of the Sh 3 Billion hospital


Murang’a Senator Irungu Kang’ata said the hospital will be built on land that the company has agreed to cede in the negotiations that are at an advanced stage.



The company owns 22,000 acres (about 9,000 hectares) and Kandara Residents Association, chaired by Mr Philip Kamau, wants between 5,000 and 8,000 acres (2,023-3,237ha) put to public use.


Murang’a Governor Mwangi Wa Iria says he wants an honest, transparent and mutually beneficial deal to resolve the stalemate, adding that “no single interest should override others in the process.”


The Governor added that they will set aside at least 3, 000 acres (1,214ha) to resettle the landless in the county, with a formula to identify them yet to be established.


Mr Kamau said there will be a social hall, a church and a mosque as well as a primary and a secondary school.


“We’re seeking a meeting with the President to brief him on the partnership and have the county government’s blessings as we commence engagements,” he said.


Lands Principal Secretary Chris Muraguri revealed that President Kenyatta has ordered him to ensure the issue is resolved by the end of this month.


“I’m in a rush to meet the President’s directive that I lead an exercise of surveying and demarcating the Del Monte land with a view of determining the authenticity of the public claim placed therein and after arbitrating and reconciling the differences, we shall proceed to renew the lease,” he said.


“America and Del Monte have never had any problems with the demands that the locals have been fronting. It’s probably the method of engagement that was faulty. We’re now having very structured meetings and are nearly at the point of breaking the impasse,” he said.