NAIROBI, Kenya – The National Land Commission (NLC) has blamed key state agencies for the delayed compensation of thousands of Kenyans displaced by major infrastructure projects.
NLC Chairperson Gershom Otachi revealed that these agencies, responsible for acquiring land for public projects, have failed to release a staggering Sh56 billion earmarked for compensation.
The agencies named include the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA), Kenya Urban Roads Authority (KURA), Kenya Rural Roads Authority (KERRA), Kenya Ports Authority (KPA), Kenya Airports Authority (KAA), and the Kenya Railways Corporation.
Otachi, speaking before the Senate Roads and Transportation Committee chaired by Kiambu Senator Karungo Thang’wa, detailed the extent of the backlog.
“The commission is yet to receive Sh56 billion from the above-acquiring entities,” he said, emphasizing that compensation for displaced persons remains on hold due to the delay.
KeNHA alone is responsible for a significant portion of the unpaid funds, with Sh43 billion still unreleased.
Other notable figures include KURA, which owes Sh1.2 billion, and Kenya Railways, which is yet to disburse Sh11 billion.
These delays have left landowners, many of whom surrendered their land years ago, without due compensation.
Otachi further revealed that some of the projects in question, such as the Nairobi Expressway and the Siaya-Rwambwa road, have already been completed, despite the unpaid compensation.
“Most of these projects have been finished, but the people who gave up their land are still waiting for their payments,” he said.
The NLC highlighted that these agencies are implementing 123 projects nationwide, with a total compensation value of Sh139.44 billion. So far, only Sh83.44 billion has been remitted, with the commission disbursing Sh79.62 billion to affected persons.
“While we have processed over 95% of the compensation funds received, the remaining Sh3.95 billion is still in various stages of processing,” Otachi said.
Many affected individuals, referred to as Project-Affected Persons (PAPs), have died waiting for compensation. Finance Director Ben Cherutich acknowledged this tragic reality: “Most of them have passed away due to the slow release of funds, compounded by budgetary constraints.”
Several high-profile infrastructure projects are affected by the compensation delays.
The Nairobi Western Bypass requires Sh1.3 billion out of a total Sh1.9 billion, while the Nairobi Expressway project has an unremitted Sh10.3 billion, despite its total cost being Sh8.2 billion.
The Kibwezi-Mutomo road and the James Gichuru-Rironi road projects face similar financial shortfalls.
The Kenol-Sagana-Marua road project is also yet to receive Sh2.4 billion, and the highly anticipated Mombasa Gate Bridge project remains in its initial stages, with no compensation awards issued as inspections are still ongoing.
The NLC also flagged historical land acquisition issues dating back to the 1970s.
In some cases, land acquired for public use has not been vested to the appropriate authorities, leaving private institutions or individuals holding titles to land occupied by roads, airports, and other facilities.
NLC Chairperson Gershom Otachi revealed that these agencies, responsible for acquiring land for public projects, have failed to release a staggering Sh56 billion earmarked for compensation.
The agencies named include the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA), Kenya Urban Roads Authority (KURA), Kenya Rural Roads Authority (KERRA), Kenya Ports Authority (KPA), Kenya Airports Authority (KAA), and the Kenya Railways Corporation.
Otachi, speaking before the Senate Roads and Transportation Committee chaired by Kiambu Senator Karungo Thang’wa, detailed the extent of the backlog.
“The commission is yet to receive Sh56 billion from the above-acquiring entities,” he said, emphasizing that compensation for displaced persons remains on hold due to the delay.
KeNHA alone is responsible for a significant portion of the unpaid funds, with Sh43 billion still unreleased.
Other notable figures include KURA, which owes Sh1.2 billion, and Kenya Railways, which is yet to disburse Sh11 billion.
These delays have left landowners, many of whom surrendered their land years ago, without due compensation.
Otachi further revealed that some of the projects in question, such as the Nairobi Expressway and the Siaya-Rwambwa road, have already been completed, despite the unpaid compensation.
“Most of these projects have been finished, but the people who gave up their land are still waiting for their payments,” he said.
The NLC highlighted that these agencies are implementing 123 projects nationwide, with a total compensation value of Sh139.44 billion. So far, only Sh83.44 billion has been remitted, with the commission disbursing Sh79.62 billion to affected persons.
“While we have processed over 95% of the compensation funds received, the remaining Sh3.95 billion is still in various stages of processing,” Otachi said.
Many affected individuals, referred to as Project-Affected Persons (PAPs), have died waiting for compensation. Finance Director Ben Cherutich acknowledged this tragic reality: “Most of them have passed away due to the slow release of funds, compounded by budgetary constraints.”
Several high-profile infrastructure projects are affected by the compensation delays.
The Nairobi Western Bypass requires Sh1.3 billion out of a total Sh1.9 billion, while the Nairobi Expressway project has an unremitted Sh10.3 billion, despite its total cost being Sh8.2 billion.
The Kibwezi-Mutomo road and the James Gichuru-Rironi road projects face similar financial shortfalls.
The Kenol-Sagana-Marua road project is also yet to receive Sh2.4 billion, and the highly anticipated Mombasa Gate Bridge project remains in its initial stages, with no compensation awards issued as inspections are still ongoing.
The NLC also flagged historical land acquisition issues dating back to the 1970s.
In some cases, land acquired for public use has not been vested to the appropriate authorities, leaving private institutions or individuals holding titles to land occupied by roads, airports, and other facilities.
