By The Weekly Vision Team
Six state agencies owe landowners a staggering Ksh 56 billion for land compulsorily acquired to facilitate the construction of roads and other projects, according to the National Lands Commission (NLC). This amount covers compensation for 123 projects spread across the country that were initiated by government entities for Project Affected Persons (PAPs).
The agencies involved are Kenya National Highways Authority (KENHA), Kenya Urban Roads Authority (KURA), Kenya Rural Roads Authority (KERRA), Kenya Airports Authority (KAA), Kenya Ports Authority (KPA), and Kenya Railways Corporation (KRC). Of the Ksh 56 billion owed, Ksh 43 billion is attributable to KENHA, Ksh 1.2 billion to KURA, Ksh 500 million to KERRA, and Ksh 11 billion to KRC.
NLC Chairperson Gershom Otachi has expressed concern that, despite the completion of these projects by the acquiring entities, the NLC has not received the funds needed for compensation. Completed projects include the Nairobi Expressway, Thika Road, Siaya-Ruambwa Road, Mwatate-Taveta Road, Ejinja-Bumala Road, Thogoto-Gikambura Road, Iten-Kapsowar Road, Limo Hospital-Illula Road, and the Nairobi Northern By-pass, among others.
Otachi noted that, to date, the six entities have remitted Ksh 83.4 billion to the NLC for compensation, from which Ksh 79.6 billion has been disbursed. He stated, “The commission is still awaiting approximately Ksh 56 billion from the acquiring entities to compensate those who surrendered their land for these development projects.” He added, “Many of these projects, for which the funds have not yet been received, have already been completed by the acquiring entities.”
