The government has allocated Sh50 million to compensate Project-Affected Persons (PAPs) whose land was acquired for the construction of the Sagana-Kenol dual carriageway.
This tranche is part of the broader Sh4.8 billion set aside to compensate 2,350 affected families, with 1,014 residing in Kirinyaga County and 1,350 in Nyeri County. According to National Land Commission (NLC) Commissioner Esther Murugi, beneficiaries should expect payments to be credited to their bank accounts by next week.
Challenges in Compensation Process
Murugi attributed delays in disbursing funds to disputes among families, which have hindered the resolution of claims. Speaking during a Historical Land Injustices claims forum in Nyeri, she acknowledged PAPs’ frustrations but noted that financial constraints have also slowed the process.
“We understand the frustrations of the affected persons and wish compensation could be immediate. Yesterday, we approved Sh50 million, which beneficiaries will receive by next week—a welcome Christmas gift,” she stated.
A report from the Kenya National Highway Authority (KeNHA) revealed that by September, only 34% of PAPs in Nyeri had been compensated, with 897 claims still pending. Meanwhile, Kirinyaga leads in payouts, with 92% of claimants already compensated.
The report also highlighted that delays in compensation have disrupted construction work on some sections of the highway, with 7.6 kilometers out of 36 kilometers left incomplete due to disputes and lack of funds.
Historical Land Injustices Hearings
The NLC also addressed 3,743 ongoing cases of historical land injustices across the country. Commissioner Murugi cited the lack of a binding mandate for implementing recommendations as a major challenge.
“Determining cases and recommending actions is within our mandate, but implementation relies on other agencies such as churches, Kenya Forest Service, and others,” she explained.
During the Nyeri hearings, several claimants presented petitions. For instance, Paul Murage accused the Catholic Diocese of Nyeri of unlawfully acquiring his family’s land. The Diocese, represented by Father David Mutahi, declined to comment, citing an ongoing court case.
Another petitioner, Esther Wangui, demanded resettlement for 250 families evicted from forest reserves in the 1980s. She argued that these lands were ancestral and designated as Native Forest Reserves during the colonial era.
Taskforce Efforts and Timeline
Taskforce Chair Prof. James Tuitoek acknowledged the complexity of some cases, many of which date back to colonial times. He assured petitioners that hearings would be expedited, with final determinations expected by 2025.
“The investigative hearings aim to gather input from all parties involved. We encourage anyone with unresolved claims to submit petitions through the NLC’s online portal or at our Nairobi office,” Tuitoek said.
Despite these challenges, the Commission remains committed to delivering justice to claimants and addressing historical land injustices across Kenya.
