Farmers protest delayed compensation over power line

West Pokot Farmers holding placards during a protest.May 22, 2025. [Irissheel Shanzu, Standard]
 

Hundreds of residents from West Pokot and Trans Nzoia counties have taken to the streets to protest against the Kenya Electricity Transmission Company (KETRACO), accusing it of failing to compensate them for land affected by the 220kV electricity transmission line project.

The aggrieved farmers, drawn from Turkwel, Ortum, Chepareria, Kapenguria, and Kitale, claimed that more than Sh200 million in compensation remains unpaid, despite their surrendering their land title deeds before the construction began.

Daniel Chumaika, one of the affected farmers, said they had submitted their title deeds in good faith but received them back without any compensation.

“We were given 90 days to wait for our payment. It's close to two years now, and nothing has reflected in our accounts,” said Chumaika.

He added that when they inquired about the delay, they were told the project was funded by the World Bank, which was responsible for compensation. However, they were later informed that the national government had no funds to pay them.

"At the beginning of this year, we were told several times that the government doesn’t have money,” Chumaika said. “We have waited long enough. Now we are being forced to consider destroying the towers. More than 300 farmers are affected.”

Joseph Losemoi from Kapenguria echoed the frustrations and pleaded with the government to fulfill its promises.

“In 2024, the government assured us that we would be paid. But nothing has happened,” said Losemoi.

Samuel Kemoli, a resident of Turkwel, lamented that the local community has not benefited from the power line running through their land.

“The irony is that we don’t even have electricity in our homes,” he said. “We will take a step and destroy the towers. We don’t want these cat-and-mouse games anymore.”

Kemoli added that many residents had opened bank accounts in anticipation of the payment, but up to now, they have received nothing.

The demonstrators demanded immediate action from both KETRACO and the government, threatening further protests if their grievances are not addressed.

The Kenya Electricity Transmission Company (Ketraco) has attributed delays in compensating farmers to a lack of funding from the National Treasury.

Responding to the allegations, Ketraco Corporate Communications Officer Raphael Mworia said the company has not received any funds from the Ministry for both the 2023/2024 and 2024/2025 financial years.

"We didn't get money for the year 2023/2024 and also for the 2024/2025 financial year," said Mworia. "The compensation project has not been funded by the Treasury simply because there was no allocation."

He added that the company has already requested funds and is hopeful that the Treasury will allocate money in the next financial year.

"If we get an allocation from the Treasury for the next financial year, we will pay the farmers," Mworia assured.