Kenya Railways Starts Ksh10B Payout to Landowners

An SGR Cargo train on the move
SGR Cargo train on the move.
File

Landowners who own property along the SGR Phase 2A have been directed to apply for compensation claims as the Kenya Railways (KR) Corporation commences a Ksh10 Billion payout for their relocation.

In a gazette notice dated February 12, the National Land Commission on behalf of the KRC gave notice of the government's intention to acquire the land.

The land is to be acquired for the construction of the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) Phase 2A. 

"In pursuance of the Land Act, 2012 Part VIII and further to Gazette Notice No. 8480 of 2020, the NLC gives notice that the National Government intends to delete, correct, and add the following parcels of land," NLC chairperson Gershom Otachi stated.

File image of workers on the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR)
File image of workers on the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR)
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The landowners who will be affected are in the Longonot - Kijabe and Mara -Suswa area where the railway is set to pass.

"Every person interested in the affected land is required to deliver to the National Land Commission on or before the day of the inquiry a written claim to compensation, copy of identification card (ID), Personal Identification No. (PIN), land ownership documents and bank account details," Otachi directed.

The inquiries for the hearing of claims to compensation for interested parties in the land required for the construction of the Standard Gauge Railway Phase 2A Project shall be held between April 19 to April 23 in various locations.

Those with queries may also head to the Commission Offices are in Ardhi House, 3rd Floor, Room 305, 1st Ngong Avenue, Nairobi.

In December 2018, the Kenya Railways Corporation released Sh10.2 billion to NLC, to carry out compensation of the phase 2A section.

The money was supposed to compensate persons along the Rongai–Ngong line, Ngong Mai–Mahiu line including the Mai Mahiu station, as well as Mai Mahiu to Suswa.

However, NLC says it had only compensated the Rongai Section, while areas particularly in Ngong, Mai Mahiu and Suswa are yet to present their claim documents.

According to Kenya Railways, the state agency overseeing the project, the government spent a total of Ksh32 billion in compensating affected landowners between Mombasa and Nairobi.

President Uhuru Kenyatta flags off SGR Phase 2A at the Nairobi Terminus on Wednesday, October 16, 2019
Former President Uhuru Kenyatta flags off SGR Phase 2A at the Nairobi Terminus on Wednesday, October 16, 2019
PSCU