Landowners stall SGR over compensation claims

Land owners in Ngong and Ongata Rongai who gave way for the Standard Gauge Railway will start receiving compensation this week.

Paul Maringa, the principal secretary in charge of Transport, did not disclose the amount set aside for the compensation.

The amount is likely to be substantial because the stretch near Nairobi is highly developed with residential estates. 

Prof Maringa said the payments were phased in three lots to be all settled this month to avert any possible disruptions of the SGR project.

“I am certain that the problem should be solved once we finish compensations,” said the PS in an interview.

All that was left, Maringa said, was cross-checking the report of the National Land Commission (NLC), the agency that helps the State make compulsory acquisitions.

Previously, NLC said dishonest property owners were in a rush to develop structures on land targeted for acquisition to increase its value.