Kilifi residents demand compensation from KETRACO for unpaid land dues

Some residents of Sosoni village in Jilor sub-county of Kilifi County have threatened legal action against the Kenya Electricity Transmission Company (KETRACO) for allegedly not paying holiday compensation.

Residents on Friday issued a 14-day ultimatum to KETRACO demanding compensation for their land and properties in the Kakuyuni-Weru section of the proposed Malindi-Kilifi 82.5 kilovolt transmission line.

Some residents have already begun renovating houses on the proposed land, while others are building new buildings, despite advice from both the company and the local administration not to do so. And this after allegedly waiting more than five years for compensation.

Mumba local Mwagandhi Ngala said residents were fed up with KETRACO’s alleged lies and had no choice but to go to court to force the company to either pay up or allow residents to move on with their lives.

Elias Catana Cazea, for his part, called on the company to speed up the compensation process and make payments, warning that if delays continue, a new assessment of the land and other assets will be required once residents begin the new development.

Edward Kingi, who led the fight for residents’ rights, collected evidence, including an environmental impact assessment report and an assessment report.

He said he was prepared to take legal action if KETRACO was unable to meet the residents’ demands within the established time frame.

An assessment report seen by the Kenya News Agency indicates that compensation to property owners along the entire proposed transmission line will cost KETRACO over KSh697.14 million, with property owners in Jilora receiving over KSh142.3 million.