800 houses marked for demolition
Senior socoiologist Rose Oloo, with translator Tony Dadi, explains to stakeholders on August 10, 2015 the compensation issues arising from the planned 35km Mombasa-Mariakani highway in Kaliang’ombe hall. The road will cost Sh22 billion. PHOTO | LABAN WALLOGA | NATION MEDIA GROUP
What you need to know:
- The National Land Commission needs to acquire 25 hectares of land before the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) begins the Sh22 billion project by the middle of next year.
- The authority’s corporate affairs manager, Charles Njogu, said officials were expecting the German Development Bank to provide Sh12 billion to finance the second phase of the project from Jomvu to Mariakani.
Public institutions, churches, residential houses and perimeter walls are among 820 structures that will be demolished to pave the way for the construction of a six-lane dual-carriage highway from Mombasa to Mariakani.
The National Land Commission needs to acquire 25 hectares of land before the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) begins the Sh22 billion project by the middle of next year.
The highways authority yesterday held meetings with residents of Mazeras to set up a committee that will address compensation issues.
“We have received Sh10 billion from African Development Bank to build the 11kms Mombasa-Jomvu section. We are in talks with German Development Bank for the funding of the remaining part of the road,” said Charles Obuon, the project coordinator.
He told residents at Kaliang’ombe chief’s office the agency is focusing on the people who will be affected by the expansion plan to avoid unnecessary delays since the tendering process has already begun.
Mr Obuon said KeNHA surveyors are verifying the list of the affected residents, and thereafter the value of their property would be announced.
He said people who put up structures on road reserves after July 30 last year would not be compensated.
Ms Rose Oloo, a sociologist, told the residents that the date was set to lock out speculators.
“There was a notice put up last year announcing the cut-off date and we would stick to that. But if there is an extension, we would consult with members of the committee and chiefs to ensure that those who deserve compensation do not miss out,” she said.
The authority’s corporate affairs manager, Charles Njogu, said officials were expecting the German Development Bank to provide Sh12 billion to finance the second phase of the project from Jomvu to Mariakani.
He said the European Investment Bank and European Union Africa Infrastructure Trust Fund are also involved in the talks.
Conversion of the road into a dual carriageway is aimed at reducing congestion as thousands of trucks ferrying cargo from the Mombasa port cause traffic jams.
Cargo passing through the port has been increasing by more than six per cent annually, with the facility handling 24 million tonnes last year.
