Nyeri Governor to be Paid Sh1 Billion

Nyeri County Governor Nderitu Gachagua is set to receive nearly Sh1 Billion as compensation from the National Government.

The mega compensation is for the acquition of his land, where Nairobi’s Southern Bypass will pass through.

The details were made public by the National Lands Commission (NLC) through a Kenya Gazette notice published on Friday last week.

Gachagua's compensation for the 1.2-acre plot with 80 apartments has been touted as one of the highest compensation schemes by the government to an individual.

The announcement comes after the High Court dismissed a case by the government, seeking orders to have Gachugua denied compensation. The State had claimed that the Nyeri Governor had grabbed the land meant for construction of the Southern Bypass.

In February 2015, Justice Mary Gitumbi had ruled that the governor be compensated should the forced takeover and demolition of his property take place.

The land located in Nairobi's South C Estate registered under Vipingo Beach Resort, is owned by Gachagua and some of his family members.

The governor is the majority shareholder with 89.94 per cent interest, Susan Nderitu owns a 10 per cent stake in the company, the governor’s brother Rigathi Gachagua has a 0.01 per cent interest while a Mr Kenneth Gachagua owns 0.05 per cent.