Landowners affected by the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) project will be trained on sound financial management skills, courtesy of the Kenya Railways Corporation and the National Land Commission.
In an official communication to on Thursday, the head of the Corporate Affairs Department of Kenya Railways Corporation, Margaret Kawira said the two bodies have embarked on a sensitisation and advocacy programme to be carried out by financial consultants.
“The beneficiaries will be sensitised in clusters starting with Kajiado followed by Makueni and Taita Taveta Counties respectively,” she said.
Kawira said the workshops are expected to educate them on management of the compensation, knowledge on options of resettlement modules, formation of land buying associations and investment options for sustainability of livelihoods.
In another development, the beneficiaries have been cautioned against spending the money on immorality and other lavish lifestyles.
The Voi Sub-County Commissioner, Shivogo Khamasi in a recent public meeting cautioned the beneficiaries against entertaining commercial sex workers, who have invaded the town on hearing the compensation process and wiring of the money to individual accounts had started.
“Avoid situations where you will be conned all your money and left to suffer. You should bear in mind that some of you are currently renting accommodation and hence the money should be channeled into profitable projects,” said Khamisi.
“In such a time when major national projects are being implemented in the County an influx of people from other areas is inevitable,” he added.
The Standard Gauge Railway launched by the government early this year has had many residents complaining of compensation from the government.