Row over design threatens to derail mega road project

Even before dualling of Kenol-Makutano-Sagana highway in Mt Kenya starts taking shape, the headache of compensation and design are threatening to derail the multi-billion shilling project.

Some 868 households will be affected by the road project, with Nyeri having the highest number at 423, Kirinyaga (415), Murang’a (17) and Embu (13).

Fifty four public utilities such as health centres, education, religious, security and water institutions will also be affected.

The cost of the Africa Development Bank-funded roadis Sh22 billion, while supervision and land compensation will take Sh11 billion.

The first phase of the transport corridor will pass through Murang’a, Machakos, Embu, Kirinyaga and Nyeri.

Apart from the thorny issue of compensation, that saw a meeting between Kenya National Highway Authority (KeNHA) and elected leaders from the affected areas, the design is also contested with some residents seeing lost opportunities in the project.

Kill businesses

Residents of Karatina town, a bustling business centre along the corridor, are up in arms over plans to bypass it through the establishment of a route devoid of congestion.

When KeNHA convened a stakeholders meeting with leaders from the affected areas this week, Mathira MP Rigathi Gachagua rejected the proposal to bypass Karatina town.

What is making KeNHA designers scratch their heads is the rejection of three proposals of design targeting the vibrant town with locals feeling that if adopted it would kill businesses and services.

One of the proposals was to have a bypass from Kangocho-Karindundu to Mukurweini road, another is an overpass through Karatina town while the third one was to have an underground road.

“I have insisted, and there is consensus, that the dual carriageway will pass through Karatina town to ease traffic congestion, promote business and services related to transit,” said Rigathi.

Prominent Karatina trader Joe Wanjui said excluding the town from the design should not be on the table due to its significance in the region.

“The town hosts one of the biggest open air markets in Africa which was recently constructed at more than Sh500 million.

“We don’t want to experience what befell Murang’a and Maragua when the road from Nairobi bypassed the two towns,” said Mr Wanjui.

His view is however contradicted by a number of traders whose buildings are earmarked for demolition in the compulsory land acquisition by KeNHA.

James Mathenge, a trader, said demolishing vibrant businesses will not augur well to the local economy even with compensation.

“We are talking about supermarkets, hotels and petrol stations earmarked for demolition. Do you think even with compensation, these people will ever recover? We need to think of a way to avoid such demolitions,” said Mr Mathenge.

He noted that it would be unfair to disregard the bypass yet owners of the land to be affected were waiting for compensation.

Mr Rigathi, however, explained that in any development there should be sacrifices and that the issue should be subjected to further consultations.

“I acknowledge that a few businesses will be affected and will be out of the way but we will soon convene a public participation meeting to agree on the emerging issues,” he noted.

Nyeri Governor Mutahi Kahiga said most concerns had been addressed, adding that he was glad that the initial design bypassing Karatina had been rejected.

“Karatina is the hub of Nyeri’s economy and we would have really been worried,” said Mr Kahiga.

He further promised to deal directly with KenHa to know whether they would give cess waiver, which was a top revenue earner for counties.

Inserted in contract

Attending the KeNHA convention were Governors Kahiga, Ferdinand Waititu (Kiambu), Anne Waiguru (Kirinyaga) and Martin Wambora (Embu).

Others were MPs Mary Waithera (Maragua), Patrick Wainaina (Thika Town), Geoffrey King’ang’i (Mbeere South) and Kirinyaga Senator Charles Kibiru.

Leaders want 40 per cent of the workforce coming from the area inserted in contract documents before work begins, land compensation, waiver of cess, access roads, sewerage and drainage and the construction of pedestrian footbridges and livestock crossings.

Construction of the road is expected to open up the northern corridor by improving businesses in the counties and create employment opportunities for locals.

The sectors that are expected to reap benefit from expansion of the road are agriculture, tourism as well as Small Medium Enterprise.

The counties in the first phase of the project mainly grow coffee, tea, potatoes, beans, maize and avocados and completion of the road means potential business from Mombasa to Ethiopia.

Other economic activities include agro-forestry, dairy farming, sheep and goat trading.

During the meeting that brought together senior management officials from KeNHA and elected leaders, Ms Waiguru asked for fair treatment to the 868 households affected by the project and adequate compensation for land acquired.

She also urged the agency to ensure at least 40 per cent of the project works are reserved for local contractors and that 90 per cent of jobs reserved for youth from the affected counties.

“Further to that, we’ve also been assured that there will be affirmative action for other supporting roles such as road maintenance, with youth getting 15 per cent, women 10 per cent and People Living with Disabilities 5 per cent. This will be the people who come from where that road is passing,” added the governor.

KeNHA Chairman Erastus Mwongera assured that 40 per cent local content policy was already in place, but added that it would be important to reflect locals’ involvement even at the top positions of the firms doing the work and supply of materials.

Kenol- Makutano-Sagana- Maria dual carriageway is part of the proposed 800km dual carriageway stretch between Nairobi and Moyale in Marsabit County.