Nairobi: Some 50 project-affected persons (PAPs) from Karatina town, who ceded their land for the construction of the Sagana-Marua highway, are set to receive Sh400 million in compensation from the government. This announcement brings relief to those impacted by the project, which has faced delays due to funding issues.
According to Kenya News Agency, Mathira Member of Parliament Eric Wamumbi confirmed that he discussed the matter with President Dr. William Ruto last December. During these discussions, the president committed to releasing the funds necessary for the construction of the Karatina-Mathaithi stretch. This funding represents a portion of the Sh1.2 billion required to fully settle claims from PAPs, many of whom are businesspersons in Karatina town.
“Our discussions with the President focused on Karatina town due to the significant stretch involved and the substantial budget of Sh1.2 billion. The section is a Government of Kenya component, and we could not cover the entire amount, hence the President’s assurance of the first tranche of Sh400 million,” Wamumbi shared with KNA during a phone interview.
Wamumbi indicated that the funds will be included in the supplementary budget estimates, which will be presented to the National Assembly in two weeks. If everything proceeds as intended, the affected individuals should receive their compensation by June, allowing for the completion of the 7.5-kilometer stretch that has been stalled for two years.
“We are hopeful to secure the funds so that by the end of the Financial Year, the PAPs will have been compensated, enabling work to commence,” the MP stated.
Initially, Sh4.8 billion had been allocated for compensating a total of 2,350 PAPs, with 1,014 residents from Kirinyaga County and 1,350 from Nyeri. However, as of September 2024, a report by the Kenya National Highways Authority (KENHA) revealed that only 453 (34 percent) of the PAPs from Nyeri had been compensated, leaving 897 claims pending. In contrast, Kirinyaga had seen 92 percent of its claims settled.
During a Nyeri County Implementation Coordination and Management Committee (NGD-CICMC) meeting in October, Central Region KENHA Deputy Engineer Javan Wandiema highlighted the delayed payments as the primary hindrance to completing the project. Despite KENHA escalating the issue to the National Treasury, funds for the remaining claimants have yet to be disbursed.
“Delayed payment for the acquisition of affected land and property has led to contractors suspending works on this specific road. The unavailable section totals 7.598 kilometers out of 36 kilometers,” Eng. Wandiema explained.
This development follows a recent announcement by Esther Murugi, a National Land Commission (NLC) Commissioner, that the government had approved Sh50 million as part of the compensation owed to PAPs. This amount, approved on December 9, was anticipated to be credited to beneficiaries’ accounts by the end of the year.
“We understand that the Projected Affected Persons are unhappy, but we also recognize the country’s financial constraints. It is our wish that affected persons are paid upfront once a project starts. We are doing what we can with the acquiring agent,” Murugi informed KNA during a Historical Land Injustices claims forum organized by the Commission.
Compensation funds are typically transferred to KENHA, which then credits the National Land Commission, the paying agent.