Kiambu County Government has stepped up efforts to acquire land owned by the Postal Corporation of Kenya (PCK) and currently occupied by bus parks in Kiambu Town and Makongeni in Thika, in a proposed out of court arrangement aimed at securing the facilities for long term public use.
Governor Kimani Wamatangi held discussions with legal teams from the Intergovernmental Relations Technical Committee (IGRTC) and PCK as the two sides explored a settlement that could pave the way for the transfer of the properties to the county government.
The talks are focused on resolving the ownership and use of the parcels without prolonged litigation, while ensuring that the bus parks remain available to residents and public transport operators.
Although the properties belong to PCK, the county government has offered to compensate the corporation for the land and associated interests as part of the proposed agreement.
The move is intended to secure the two strategically located transport facilities for public use and give the county greater control over their future development and management.
Governor Wamatangi said the county was pursuing an arrangement that would protect public interest while respecting the legal ownership of the properties.
The proposed acquisition would also enable the county to undertake comprehensive redevelopment of the bus parks, which serve thousands of passengers and traders operating around the transport hubs.
At Kiambu Town and Makongeni, the bus parks have over the years evolved into important commercial and transport centres, supporting a large number of small businesses while providing access points for commuters travelling within Kiambu and to neighbouring counties.
The county government plans to improve the facilities and provide a more organised environment for public transport operations and businesses.
A key component of the proposed redevelopment is the completion of modern stalls for traders currently operating at the bus parks.
According to the county plan, existing traders will be provided with the modern stalls free of charge, in an effort to protect their livelihoods while transforming the facilities.
The planned improvements are expected to address challenges associated with congestion, inadequate trading facilities and unplanned development around the bus parks.
The county’s negotiations with PCK come amid wider efforts by devolved governments to secure strategic public assets and resolve disputes over land and facilities used to provide essential services.
The involvement of IGRTC legal teams is expected to help the parties navigate the intergovernmental and legal aspects of the proposed settlement.
For Kiambu, securing ownership or long term control of the two properties would provide an opportunity to implement a coordinated development plan instead of relying on arrangements involving land owned by another public entity.
The proposed deal will, however, require the parties to agree on the valuation and compensation arrangements before any transfer can be concluded.
It will also have to comply with applicable laws governing public land, public assets and transactions involving State corporations and county governments.
The discussions are therefore expected to continue as the parties work towards a mutually acceptable framework that would settle the matter out of court.
If an agreement is reached, the county government intends to move ahead with upgrading the two bus parks as part of its broader programme to improve public transport infrastructure and urban services.
The proposed modernisation would seek to balance the needs of commuters, matatu operators and traders while creating orderly and better managed transport hubs in the two major urban centres.
For traders, the promise of modern stalls without purchase costs would provide continuity of business during and after the redevelopment, while the county would gain an opportunity to reorganise the facilities and improve revenue and service delivery.
The talks between Kiambu, PCK and IGRTC therefore mark a potentially significant step towards resolving the long running question of ownership and development of the two bus park sites.
