The Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA), on Wednesday, March 31, announced that businesses and property owners along Mombasa Road would have to move to pave way for the Nairobi Expressway.
KeNHA stated that President Uhuru Kenyatta had granted the authority access to the land on the wayleave of the Nairobi Expressway. According to the agency, the parcels would be used for further development of the Ksh 62 billion road.
The authority clarified that Uhuru was reiterating an order issued by the National Land Commission (NLC) on March 12, 2020, through a Gazette Notice.
"In pursuance of the Land Act 2012, the NLC on behalf of KeNHA gives notice that the government intends to acquire parcels of land for the Nairobi Expressway project. Plans of the affected land may be inspected during office working hours at the National Land Commission, Ardhi House, 3rd Floor, Room 305, 1st Ngong Avenue, Nairobi.
"At least after 30 days of publishing the notice of intention to acquire land, the Commission shall appoint the date for an inquiry to hear issues of property and claims of compensation by persons interested in the land," the Gazette Notice read.
Among businesses targeted in the 2020 notice were Doshi Holdings Limited, Valmo Limited, Kenya Railways Cooperation, University of Nairobi, Kipsirgoi Investment Limited, The Kenya Police Sports Association, Simba Colt Motors Limited, and Nairobi Railways Club.
Transport CS James Macharia, while inspecting the road on Wednesday, March 31, ordered the Chinese contractor to fast track the project and also observe Covid-19 measures.
"The road is an important section of the Nothern Corridor, which is the main gateway for exports and imports in East Africa," Macharia said.
The road will begin at Mlolongo and will pass outside Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) through Nairobi Central Business District to join Waiyaki Way in Westlands. It will have 10 interchanges at the SGR interchange, the JKIA interchange, Eastern bypass, Capital Center, Haile Selassie, Thika road interchange, Westland's interchange, and James Gichuru.
Motorists will pay a toll fee of between Ksh 100 and Ksh 1,600 to the Chinese contractors depending on the type of vehicle. The foreigners will hand over the road to the government after 30 years.
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