National Land Commission Addresses Senate on Horn of Africa Gateway Development Project Compensation
This morning, the Senate Standing Committee on Land, Environment, and Natural Resources engaged in a critical session with National Land Commission (NLC) Kenya officials, including Chairperson Gershom Otachi, and Commissioners Prof. James Tuitoek and Alister Murimi. The meeting was convened to address pressing inquiries about the compensation for landowners affected by the Horn of Africa Gateway Development Project.
A focal point of the discussion was the compensation process for those displaced by the major infrastructure initiative. Chairperson Otachi clarified that the current valuation exercise had been specifically aimed at compensating individuals for damages to structures and businesses, not for the land itself. This clarification came in response to concerns about the adequacy and fairness of the compensation process.
Otachi also noted that the Kenyan National Highway Authority had not formally requested land acquisition for the project. Instead, the development was planned to occur within an existing road corridor, thus circumventing the need for formal land acquisition processes.
Further detailing the procedural adherence, Otachi emphasized that the Commission’s actions were consistent with the World Bank’s Operational Policy on involuntary resettlement, which governs the funding agreement between the Government of Kenya and its international partners. This policy is designed to ensure that displacement impacts are managed in a fair and transparent manner.
The NLC had previously conducted inspections and a thorough disclosure and document collection exercise for properties and businesses affected during Phase I of the project. This step was part of their commitment to ensuring that all impacted parties received appropriate compensation.
The session highlighted the ongoing commitment to addressing the challenges associated with large-scale infrastructure projects and underscored the importance of maintaining transparency and adherence to international standards. As the Horn of Africa Gateway Development Project progresses, the focus remains on balancing development needs with the rights and compensation of affected landowners.
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