US Defends Del Monte Kenya Amid Land Lease Renewal Row

US Ambassador to Kenya Kyle McCarter has weighed in on the debate about the renewal of Del Monte’s land lease.

McCarter said the US food processing company, which grows fruits on a 22,000-acre parcel of land in Kiambu and Murang’a counties, has changed the lives of thousands of residents and deserves to have its lease renewed.

In addition to creating numerous employment opportunities, McCarter mentioned the fruit processor has built many schools and renovated others in the two counties. 

Several parties including political leaders are opposing plans to renew its land lease, which expires this year and want part of the parcel ceded to the community.

“When I was first told about the matter, I asked what the company has done for the community and I was given details of the numerous projects undertaken. I told them, it is good what you have done but you also need to talk about it,” McCarter said on Saturday.

McCarter spoke at Kihiu Mwiri area in Gatanga during a food distribution event organized by Murang'a Senator Irungu Kang’ata in partnership with the US Embassy.

He said the embassy is pushing Del Monte to invest more in the community and urged all stakeholders to embrace dialogue in a bid to solve the lease renewal dispute.

“Companies such as Del Monte Kenya empower Kenyans to have better lives while strengthening the economy,” he added.

On his part, Senator Kang’ata urged Del Monte Kenya to consider buying local products such as macadamia and export it together with its juice products.

“To maximize the benefits, we will need value addition. Such an arrangement would be a win-win for the company, locals, and the country,” Kang’ata said.

“Del Monte has said it has no issue ceding part of the land. I propose the construction of a university and hospital complex in the land to serve locals,” he added.