Kenya Electricity Transmission Company (KETRACO) and residents of Matapato North and South in Kajiado County have come to an agreement over land compensation ending a row which had lasted for over eight years.
The stalemate over land compensation had stalled the transmission of electricity along the 90KM Isinya-Namanga line after locals rejected the Sh 800, 000 per acre compensation as valued by the National Lands Commission.
The residents claimed their land which lies along Mailwa and Lorngosua had been under-valued thus rejected the compensation and vowed that no works would continue along the line.
KETRACO Chairman Joe Mutambo and Kajiado Governor Joseph Lenku together with the affected land owners in a meeting held in Mail Tisa on Thursday, agreed to compensation of Sh 1.2 million per acre thus ending the stalemate which had created tension between the locals and the company.
Mutambo noted that the eight year old dispute had slowed down works on the line and he was happy that an agreement had been reached for works on the power line to resume.
He revealed that over 500 land owners would be compensated and their homes and those surrounding the power line connected to electricity.
“All the affected land owners will receive the new compensation deal; we are glad that this matter has been agreed on amicably. Work should resume on this line as soon as possible” said Mutambo.
Governor Joseph Lenku noted that the stalemate had resulted in suspicion and bad blood between KETRACO and the local community and he was happy that a breakthrough had been reached.
“It is a breakthrough for our people after KETRACO agreed to value land along their Isinya-Namanga way leave at Sh 1.2 Million per acre from Sh 800,000 offered years ago by NLC. I look forward to the pay out very soon to end the suffering of local land owners,” said Lenku.
Land owners welcomed the new compensation pay deal adding that they would now get value for their land.
By Rop Janet
