Land dispute derails Sh900m oil project

By PETERSON GITHAIGA

Kajiado, Kenya: A multi-million oil exploration project stalled after agitated Kajiado residents supported by county leaders ordered its closure over a land dispute.

The leaders claimed they were not consulted on the project and they could lose their ancestral land.

They gave the National Corporation of Kenya (Nock) a two-week ultimatum to address the community’s concerns. In a stormy meeting at Magadi town attended by Kajiado Deputy Governor Paul Ntiati, area MP, deputy county commissioners and Nock officials, it was agreed unanimously that the Sh900 million project should be suspended.

Nock said it has set aside Sh4 million to be paid to the displaced persons in the four blocks and an additional Sh100,000 as ground rent for each of the four camps.

Little compensation

Most residents claimed they were not consulted while some said the money proposed as compensation is too little.

An agitated Ntiati said Nock was operating illegally without either notifying the county government or involving locals to agree on modalities and compensation. “We will not watch as this oil company takes advantage of our people for financial gain,” said Ntiati.

Kajiado West MP Moses Sakuda supported the suspension of the exercise until controversy surrounding it is resolved.

Nock Senior Geophysicist Francis Njuguna said they are still in talks with residents over their land but added that though the exercise might take years to complete, incase oil is discovered it would benefit residents more.