The national government has announced plans to acquire land for several major infrastructure projects across the country.
The initiatives include the expansion of the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR), upstream oil development in the South Lokichar Basin, and the construction of the Mwache Multipurpose Dam in Kwale County, including its associated roads.
For the Nairobi–Naivasha SGR Project (Phase 2A), the government announced that it intends to correct and acquire a small parcel of land in Kajiado County, with the parties required to submit claims for compensation and relevant ownership documents before the scheduled inquiry.
In the SGR Phase I extension between Mombasa and Nairobi, the government has announced that it will also acquire additional land, which is set to be acquired, with plans to hold a public inquiry to hear claims for compensation for the affected landowners along the corridor.
At the same time, the government has announced that it will also acquire land in Turkana County for the South Lokichar Basin oil project.
According to the government, the parcels are intended for grazing, residential areas, oil wells, and water points across Nakukulas and Kapese communities.
In addition to residential and grazing land, specific plots are reserved for the construction of oil wells, airstrips, and other project-related infrastructure.
The government intends to correct and add land parcels needed for the construction of the Upper Check Dam as part of the Mwache Multipurpose Dam Project in Kwale County. The affected areas span several villages, with different sizes of land designated for acquisition.
The National Lands Commission (NLC) has directed community members and companies to submit written claims along with identification and ownership documents ahead of these hearings.
Meanwhile, the government also intends to acquire 49 parcels of land for the construction of the Nyali Bridge-Mtwapa-Kwa Kadzengo-Kilifi Road.
NLC Chairperson Gershom Otachi said that the changes will be made on behalf of the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA), which is overseeing the construction of the road.
The commission intends to delete 8 parcels of land and add 19 other parcels to cater for the project. The commission is also in the process of making corrections to 22 other parcels, which have either been deleted or added to the project previously.
