National Land Commission chair Mohamed Swazuri. [Photo/capitalfm.co.ke]
National Land Commission (NLC) has assured residents of Suswa area, who own the land where the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) is set to pass of full compensation.
The commission’s chair Prof. Mohammed Swazuri said about 77 landowners who occupy the 120 Kilometer stretch railway path will be compensated soon after the land valuation is complete.
Swazuri who was speaking at Duka Moja area said the government valuer will consider the soil value, the development on the land and the value of trees on the land before advising the commission on the compensation amount.
He regretted that the Chinese contractors had invaded the land without informing the owners saying the government cannot take a single meter without compensation.
“The commission had planned to start the process of compensation immediately after the launch of the programme by President Uhuru Kenyatta in October 2016 but suspended the exercise after a ruling by the Environment and Land Court,” he said.
Swazuri assured that the landowners will be paid money or given an equivalent alternative land once an inquiry to prove the land ownership is conducted and valuation is done.
“We will compensate the land owners whether they have title deeds or not as long as they prove they are the real owners,” he said.