A Senate committee wants two State agencies to explain why compensation for landowners in a city road project rose from Sh1.4 billion to Sh6.4 billion.
The adjustment has increased the total payouts to affected landowners in three sections of James Gichuru Junction/Rironi road project to Sh22.1 billion up from Sh17.1 billion.
Senate now wants the National Land Commission (NLC) and the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) to reconcile compensation payments for property owners along the Zambezi-Kamandura stretch.
Senate Standing Committee on Roads and Transportation, chaired by Kimani Wamatangi (Kiambu), expressed concern that taxpayers might lose billions of shillings if the variances were not addressed. “I direct NLC and KeNHA to ensure the process is flawless and that every action is backed by law,” ordered Mr Wamatangi.
The committee summoned NLC and KeNHA representatives following a petition by affected land owners who complained of delays in compensation.
Kitui Senator Enoch Wambua directed NLC and KeNHA to furnish Senate with a breakdown of the project's declared costs and fast-track compensation.
“There are likely to be many expensive court cases if matters of delayed compensation and variations in costs are not solved according to legal parameters,” he said.
Acting NLC Deputy CEO Francis Borr said the new compensation figure arose after the commission conducted a review of the land needed for the works.
KeNHA Director General Peter Mundinia said they would resolve the matter.
