The permanent secretary for Transport Irungu Nyakera has suggested that the law has a provision allowing the Government to compulsorily acquire land for infrastructure despite the objection in cases where owners have refused to sell.
This comes after the Government raised a red flag over the high cost of carrying out land acquisitions for capital infrastructure projects where landowners inflate cost.
Construction of SGR phase 1 was delayed because of wrangles between local community members and the State over compensation for land.
“We have the option of exercising this provision so that the construction of the project can proceed even as issues related to land compensation are being ironed out,” said Nyakera
He said land acquisition costs have so far taken up more than 10% (Ksh 33 billion) of the SGR budget and are set to go higher with the expansion of the infrastructure.
This will prompt taxpayers to pay more cash for land in the second phase of SGR project.
Nyakera, who was speaking during a panel discussion at a morning news television show, said the delayed second phase of the rail project passing through the national park could begin as early as next month.