The National Land Commission (NLC) is under fire from Kitui County leaders over land compensation delays in the area – By Faith Mutete.
Led by Kitui town MCA Anthony Ndoo, the residents want full compensation effected before the constructìon of Kitui bypass is restarted.
“Come in immediately and solve this stalemate. People need to be compensated for the contractor to continue with the construction.” Said Ndoo.
While citing benefits of the Kitui Bypass project, Hon. Ndoo urged the residents to embrace the project, and pave way for its construction.
“We are very optimistic because this road is a game-changer for Kitui county. When this road passes through this area, the economy of this area will grow and their living standards will improve.” He added.
With the delays currently plaguing the construction, the government risks being charged Sh.10 million daily for non-site allocation by the contractor.
The project is being undertaken by Sino Hydro Corporation under the supervision of the Kenya Highways Authority.
According to the residents, the authorities dispatched letters asking them to vacate their land in Manyenyoni, Majengo, and Kitui School.
The letters are asking them to allow the contractor early entry to complete the bypass.
The contractor is finalizing on the road project, part of the Kibwezi Kitui, Kabati Migwani project.
The Kitui County commissioner John Ondego has appealed for calm over the situation. Ondego has urged the residents to vacate land for the bypass completion in order to reap the benefits of the project.
He said the continued impasse overcompensation was unnecessary and said the law permitted for early entry into private land for construction of public utilities.
Ondego said the National Land Commission had already quantified compensation and its only a matter of time before the money is disbursed.
The compensation issue has delayed the construction of the Kitui by pass through Manyenyoni, Unyaa to Kitui-Machakos Road.
The works are part of the Kitui, Kabati to Migwani project.
Kitui town MCA Anthony Ndoo said locals must be fully compensated before the works start.
“We appreciated the benefits of the project but private property needs to be respected.” He added.
