Mixed reactions in Vihiga as Sh648B SGR project raises compensation concerns

Residents of Em'maloba Sublocation in Luanda Sub-County, Vihiga County during a public engagement forum for the proposed extension of the Standard Gauge Railway from Naivasha to Malaba. (Brian Kisanji, Standard) Anxiety has gripped villages in Em'maloba Sub Location in Luanda over the planned extension of the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) from Naivasha to Malaba. The expected land acquisition by the National Land Commission (NLC) for the project would affect at least 19 households. Beacons marking areas affected by the Sh648 billion project have already been placed. While some residents see the project as a gateway to development, others remain apprehensive about land compensation and relocation. Some affected residents say they do not have ownership documents for the ancestral land. On Sunday, local authorities and Senator Godfrey Osotsi met hundreds of residents to discuss the implications of the project. Eli Osimbo, a 62-year-old who has lived in Em'maloba his entire life, expressed concerns about compensation. "We are happy to give our land for this development project. We fear that someone has issued notices to some of us, while most of us are internally displaced persons because we have lived for years without processing legal land documents," he said. Residents are urging the government to allow them time to acquire title deeds. "It takes time to acquire these documents, and I hear that in a few months, the compensation process will start. That makes us worried," Osimbo added. Others like Josphat Mayanja see an opportunity to transform the area's fortunes. "We know that with the coming of the SGR, we will get better roads, water and power for those who remain behind," he said. The government has proposed establishing a terminus in Vihiga, a move strongly supported by the locals who believe it will boost business and economic activity. "We hope the government will stick to the plan to build a big terminus here. That is our biggest motivation for moving," said Mayanja. With the recent launch of the County Aggregation Industrial Park in the county, there is optimism that a railway connection will be instrumental in transforming the local economy. Local agricultural produce such as African leafy vegetables, bananas, avocados, soybeans and dairy products are among the key commodities expected to be processed at the park. However, rumours that the SGR route might change, potentially bypassing Vihiga, have created uncertainty.But Osotsi assured the locals that this would not happen. "As leaders, we support the SGR project, but we must first address the issues affecting residents regarding where the project will run," he said. He also vowed to push for the proposed terminus to be constructed in Luanda. "A terminus will ensure we see the full potential of the SGR in terms of business, water, and power connections, among others." Osotsi further urged Kenya Railways to ensure that landowners receive full compensation before being relocated while calling for the issuance of title deeds to affected residents. "I will ensure we get a lawyer and sponsor him or her to represent you well so that anyone does not dupe or harass you," he assured the residents. In a past interview, Kenya Railways Managing Director Philip Mainga confirmed that discussions on the SGR extension have been ongoing, with engagements involving stakeholders in regions where the railway will pass. The SGR Phase 2B and 2C projects, which will extend the railway from Naivasha to Malaba, will cover 475 kilometres and will traverse multiple counties, including Narok, Bomet, Kericho, Nyamira, Kisumu, Vihiga, Siaya, Kakamega, and Busia. The final route report is yet to be completed and approved by the National Land Commission before land acquisition and construction begin. The Standard Gauge Railway, initially built with funding from China, currently ends in Naivasha. The government is seeking further financing from China to extend the railway to Malaba. The extension of the SGR is crucial for regional trade, enhancing freight movement from Mombasa to landlocked East African nations such as Uganda, Rwanda, South Sudan, Burundi, and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

Mixed reactions in Vihiga as Sh648B SGR project raises compensation concerns

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