Leaders want standard gauge railway project halted

Leaders have threatened to block the implementation of the standard gauge railway project on claims that the National Land Commission (NLC) has not done a full valuation of land along the proposed line to enable compensation for those who will be displaced.

The leaders among them Governor John Mruttu, MPs Jones Mlolwa and Thomas Mwadeghu and a number of ward representatives, alleged that some landowners had been left out of the compensation package.

Addressing the public in Maungu, Voi and Ndara trading centres yesterday, the leaders accused NLC of failing to identify genuine land owners for compensation.

According to the Kenya Railways Corporation Managing Director Atanas Maina, land owners in three Coast counties are among 2,000 Kenyans who will be paid Sh5.5 billion in compensation.

Speaking in Mombasa earlier this week, Mr Maina said the payments, which will benefit land owners in Mombasa, Kwale and Taita-Taveta counties will be made from next week.

The leaders claimed that many landlords had not signed the necessary forms to facilitate compensation, meaning they would not benefit from the money.

They warned the Government against ignoring the local community saying the region is a major stakeholder in the multi-billion shilling project, with a total stretch of 200kms passing through the county. The stretch is from Mackinnon Road Township to Mtito-Andei.

Re-valuation

"It is only people with property on the ground that should be entitled to compensation. NLC has failed to identify genuine owners. Landlords whose names had been omitted during the initial identification process should be valued first," said Mr Mruttu.

"We are demanding for a re-valuation process because many people were locked out the first time round. The law requires that people be compensated before they vacate their land," said the governor.

The leaders said the procedures of land acquisition were clear and asked the affected owners to stay put until they are paid.

"Any land owner living along the railway line is entitled to payment. We will resist attempts by NLC to lock out some land owners from compensation," Mruttu warned.