Athi River's dual carriageway launched by president Uhuru Kenyatta is projected to affect more than 80 residents who are already crying foul of the compensation process. [Photo|]Citizen TV
More than 80 residents of Athi River in Mavoko sub-county have cried foul of the list compensation designated for the area residents and approved by the National Lands Commission (NLC).
The aforementioned estimated figure of people is likely to give up their lands for the construction of a dual-carriage road between the Athi River Interchange and the Machakos junction in Kyumbi.
Most of the area residents have said that their names are not found on the list of those expected t be compensated as soon as the road’s construction kicks off.According to Harrison Mutiso, who is one of the affected residents, initially, just like the rest of the residents, his name was on in the NLC and Kenya National Highways Authority lists as among those who were slated to be compensated when the exercise begins.
“I wonder why my name is missing during the last minute of the compensation process,” Mutiso said.
Mutiso, who spoke to the media at the Mavoko Chief’s office in Athi River town Monday during the signing of awards by those affected by the project lamented the entire compensation process which he termed as unfair.
“We are shocked to be told by officers from the National Lands Commission that we will not be compensated since our names are not on their list,” said Mutiso.
Another resident Eunice Mwanza said her business was among those inspected and valued by surveyors and contractors of the project a couple of months ago.
According to Mwanza who owns a kiosk along Kinanie road, “it is so painful to learn that I am not among those to be compensated given that there was no single meeting called by the project’s stakeholders which I missed.”
Efforts to have the NLC officials who led the signing of the compensation awards documents comment on the matter proved futile as they declined to speak to the press.