The World Bank has allocated millions of shillings to compensate land owners in Isiolo displaced by the construction of the Horn of Africa Gateway Development Project (HoAGDP).
However, the Project affected persons will have to wait longer as National Lands Commission (NLC) drags its feet in providing confirmed beneficiaries and acreage.
The project, which is crucial for enhancing regional connectivity and economic development, has faced delays due to challenges in the compensation of Project-Affected Persons (PAPs).
Stakeholders have expressed frustration over the slow progress, affecting the livelihoods of those displaced by the project.
Among the key concerns raised by local leaders, particularly Senator Fatuma Dullo from Isiolo, is the perceived bias in the compensation process, with allegations that the NLC has failed to adequately compensate for land.
The World Bank has demanded that compensation be paid to Kenya National Highways Authorities and not NLC.
“The World Bank has directed the money to be paid to KeNHA for onward transmitting.”
The Sh 96 billion HoAGDP is expected to not only improve road infrastructure but also stimulate economic activity in some of the most underserved regions of Kenya.
With the completion of key roads and construction projects, local economies are anticipated to flourish, providing new opportunities for trade and development, while also improving access to essential services.
