𝗠𝗣𝘀 𝗥𝗮𝗶𝘀𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗿𝗻𝘀 𝗢𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗔𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗣𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗞𝗲𝗻𝘆𝗮 𝗥𝗮𝗶𝗹𝘄𝗮𝘆𝘀 𝗖𝗼𝗿𝗽𝗼𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻’𝘀 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗮𝗿𝗱 𝗚𝗮𝘂𝗴𝗲 𝗥𝗮𝗶𝗹𝘄𝗮𝘆 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁
National Assembly Committee on Lands chaired by Hon. Joash Nyamoko held a meeting with Mr. Philip Mainga, MD, Kenya Railways Corporation (KRC) regarding the status of compensation for Project Affected Persons (PAPs) in the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) project.
Lawmakers sought detailed information on the number of beneficiaries who have received compensation from both the expansion of the Meter Gauge Railway project and the construction of the Standard Gauge Railway.
Specifically, the Committee Members requested a comprehensive list of PAPs who received compensation directly from the Railway Development Levy, without the involvement of the National Land Commission. They also inquired about the due diligence conducted by the Corporation to ensure fair compensation for the PAPs who were paid directly.
During the session, the MD, Mr. Philip Mainga, furnished legislators’ with compensation schedules received from the National Land Commission.
According to the documents presented, a total of Kshs 38.850 B was disbursed from the Railways Development Levy for compensation.
Mr. Mainga further clarified that Kenya Railways Corporation is not directly involved in land valuation and identification of PAPs, as this is the role of the National Land Commission. The Corporation relies on the Commission to identify the PAPs, conduct valuations, and subsequently disburses compensation funds to the Commission for distribution.
However, concerns were raised about the verification and determination process of PAPs, with Committee Members seeking clarification on whether due diligence was performed by the Corporation before disbursing funds to the National Land Commission. Mr. Mainga appeared uncertain about the specifics of the process and stated that the KRC writes to the National Land Commission to account for the funds remitted via the Railways Development Levy.
The Committee further sought information on the ongoing legal dispute over the compensation for Miritini Free Port for the Standard Gauge Railway project, which was awarded Kshs 1.4 B, to which the Committee on Lands scrutinised a report detailing the entities involved in the dispute.
Members learnt that Kenya Railways Corporation had Kshs 8B set aside for compensation that was yet to be utilised.
Members of Parliament further highlighted the need transparency and effectiveness of the compensation process. They stressed the importance of conducting proper due diligence to ensure that funds are disbursed to the rightful beneficiaries and that the compensation process is fair and accountable.
The Committee on Lands requested the Managing Director of Kenya Railways Corporation to provide a detailed report outlining the verification and determination process for PAPs, as well as the steps taken to address the issue of squatters in Portland.
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