Politics and policy
A sample of the 609km standard gauge railway line that will be built
from Mombasa to Nairobi. Kibwezi MP Patrick Musimba said Kibwezi
residents were not compensated for land acquired by the government for
the project. PHOTO | FILE | NATION MEDIA GROUP
By RICHARD MUNGUTI
In Summary
- Transport and Infrastructure Cabinet Secretary Michael Kamau had said compulsory acquisition of land for the first phase of the standard gauge railway line from Mombasa to Nairobi will cost Sh10 billion.
The High Court on Thursday stopped the construction
of the Sh327 billion Mombasa-Nairobi railway line until a case filed by
Kibwezi MP Patrick Musimba is heard and determined.
Justice Charles Kariuki suspended the project for 14 days
after hearing an application by the MP. Through lawyer Kethi Kilonzo, Mr
Musimba said Kibwezi residents were not compensated for land acquired
by the government for the project.
Ms Kilonzo told the court that residents were not
properly compensated for land compulsorily acquired by the government
for the project. She said the residents were not given notice before the
take-over, as required by the law.
The lawyer said residents will suffer economically
as the land will be fenced off with a perimeter wall and thus inhibit
their movement and that of their livestock to grazing fields. Ms Kilonzo
said proper acquisition of the land should be done and residents ought
to be compensated.
Justice Kariuki ordered the case to be heard on November 6.
In the case, the MP has sued the National Land
Commission, the Kenya Railway Corporation and the Attorney-General,
while China Roads and Bridges Corporation has been named as an
interested party.
The Sh327 billion project was launched by President
Uhuru Kenyatta in April. Transport and Infrastructure Cabinet Secretary
Michael Kamau had said compulsory acquisition of land for the first
phase of the standard gauge railway line from Mombasa to Nairobi will
cost Sh10 billion.
He had said 11,000 acres will be compulsorily
acquired from individuals and government agencies along the
609-kilometre Nairobi-Mombasa stretch
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