KeNHA to Embark on Demolition of Illegal Structures to Pave Way For Dualization of Malaba-Bungoma Road
Kenya National Highway Authority (KeNHA) will embark on demolitions of illegal structures built on reserve land to pave the way for dualization of the Malaba-Bungoma (Corridor B) road.
Addressing the press on Tuesday in his office, Malaba Municipality Manager Francis Asoyong said they will meet a team from KeNHA on Thursday to kick-start marking of structures built on reserve land along the Highway.
” After the marking exercise, we shall issue a 21-day notice. Those who will fail to bring down the illegal structures we shall do so but at their cost,” he said.
Mr Asoyong said KeNHA held public participation on April 30th 2024 to sensitize Malaba residents on the consequences of encroachment, building along road reserves and littering.
Engineer Joyce Kosgei said encroachment on government land is illegal with those found culpable to face fine up to Ksh100,000.
” Protection of road reserves and building along road reserves is also illegal, and perpetrators could face heavy fines if put up any structure on road reserves,” she said.
Asoyong said he has received a letter from the County Executive Committee Member for Lands, Urban Development, and Physical Planning Mr Peter Odima on the need to reorganise the border town.
” A notice will be issued to owners of buildings that do not meet the threshold to demolish such buildings. The types of buildings should be in tandem with the requirements of a municipality and the law,” Asoyong said.
The manager said sacrifices are inevitable, adding that Bungoma, Kakamega, and Kisumu took bold steps to demolish illegal structures, and the move has reaped fruits.
He went on: ” We want to put Malaba on the map. It’s common practice to find people put up buildings on sewerlines. This will be a thing of the past.”
Mr Asoyong said plans are also in the offing to have the staff seconded to the Municipality from various departments to have their letters changed by the County Public Service Board to reflect that they are staff of the municipality.
He noted that the county government seconded staff to the Municipality since it had no budget, noting that some funds have been factored in the 2024-2025 financial year.
” If the budget will go through, we shall procure one tractor for collecting garbage. We shall also use part of the funds to buy tools to clean the town to match municipality status,” he said.
Asoyong said President William Ruto during his last visit to Teso region donated Ksh100million for the construction of a modern market within the municipality.He said they are looking for apiece of land since that of Amoni the county government purchased is embroiled in court battle.
Asoyong said the docket of collecting revenue is not in their hands but by the Department of Finance, noting that once they are granted a chance to collect revenue, they will digitalise the process.
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