Some 464 people and properties which will be affected by the ongoing construction of western by-pass road have been listed for compensation.
The number of those to be compensated was arrived at following verification of ownership documents by the National Land Commission (NLC) in consultation with relevant line departments.
Engineer Halake Molu from NLC during a County Development Implementation Committee (CDICC) meeting held at the Kiambu County Commissioner Boardroom Tuesday revealed that Sh1.8 billion has been budgeted for compensation on the 16.8 Km stretch of land which has been acquired by the National Land Commission.
Halake However said only Sh150 million is available for the purpose of the project which began in 2019, he stated.
During the validation process, Engineer Halake said 202 people were found to have encroached on Government Land and were issued with quit notices.
“Some have already relocated their businesses to pave way for the construction while some are still buying time,’’ he told the meeting.
China Road and Bridge Corporation (K) was contracted in April 2017 by the Government of Kenya through the Implementing agency, the Director General, Kenya National Highway Authority to carry out design and construction of the western by-pass Road.
The works are to be carried out through Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) Contract and consists of the construction of dual carriageway with a length of 16.7 kilometers and approximately 17.31 kilometer service roads.
The Nairobi Western bypass road is funded by China Exim Bank and Government of Kenya. The project was awarded on 20th April 2017 at a cost of Sh17 billion. Physical commencement was 11th April 2019 and it is expected to be completed on 30th September 2022. “In about 516 days, the physical progress stands at 41.7percent,’’ stated Engineer Halake.
The proposed Bypass mainly follows along the existing Gitaru Road towards the northeast and then turns to the southeast near Ndenderu town ( Limuru Road). The Western Bypass passes several towns among them Gitaru, Wangige, Ndenderu and Ruaka. The end of the road is at the Two Rivers mall roundabout on the Northern Bypass in Ruaka.
By Lydia Shiloya
