The County Government of Tharaka Nithi has denied allegations made by Chuka/Igambang’ombe MP Patrick Munene that it opposes the construction of the Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC) in Chuka. The accusations arose following a dispute over the felling of trees at the KMTC construction site on Saturday, July 1.
The controversy began when trees were cut down at the site, leading to a clash between the county government and the MP’s office over the ownership and use of the timber. The Member of Parliament claimed that the county government had seized the wood meant for construction and alleged that the governor had ordered the action.
“Today in the afternoon, the county government sent goons in a lorry to ferry away timber from the site. It’s good to note that the county government already handed over the KMTC to the national government, and KMTC now has an independent title deed,” MP Patrick Munene stated.
In response, Karingani MCA Gaturo clarified that the county government supports the KMTC project, which it initiated before transferring it to the national government. Gaturo emphasized that the contractor should have consulted the county government regarding the use of the trees, which remain county property.
“They should have consulted with the county government before cutting down the trees which are part of public resources. The contractor had no right to use trees found on site since the trees are still property of the county government. The contractor should have come with their own materials to site,” Gaturo said.
Gaturo insisted that the county’s only concern was the proper management of public resources, not the construction itself. “We have no interest with the land, nor are we against the construction of KMTC, but anything not useful to them should be given back to the county,” he added.
Chuka Sub-County Administrator Alexander Mugendi accused the MP of malice, alleging that Munene had previously facilitated unauthorized tree cutting and that the wood from the current incident might have been sold without proper authorization. Mugendi stressed the need for permits and proper consultation before any tree felling.
KMTC, currently hosted at Chuka University, received a five-acre land donation from the county government for its construction.
