The government has begun the compulsory acquisition of 96 parcels of land needed for the construction of the Sh7 billion Nithi Bridge, one of the country’s largest road infrastructure projects aimed at improving safety along the Meru-Nairobi highway.
While compulsory land acquisition often raises concerns among affected communities, government officials insist the exercise will be conducted in accordance with the law and that all eligible landowners will receive fair compensation.
Here is how the process works.
Why is the government acquiring the land?
The additional land is required to pave the way for construction of the new Nithi Bridge, which will replace the existing crossing and improve transport along one of Kenya’s busiest highways.
Tharaka Nithi County Commissioner David Gitonga said the land acquisition process marks a key milestone in implementing the project, noting that the contractor is already on site.
“The process is progressing well. The contractor is already on site, and we are now at one of the most critical stages of land acquisition. Once valuation is completed and compensation is determined, the government will proceed with acquiring the affected land,” Gitonga said.
According to the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA), sections of the bridge will rise nearly 100 metres above the ground, requiring early access to some parcels for construction of the bridge’s support columns.
What happens during the inquiry?
The National Land Commission (NLC) has opened an inquiry that will run from August 5 to August 17 to establish ownership of the affected land and determine compensation.
The inquiry is conducted under Section 112 of the Land Act, which requires the Commission to identify the rightful owners of the land and establish the interests that qualify for compensation.
NLC Director of Valuation and Taxation Joel Ombati Nemuya described the inquiry as one of the most important stages of compulsory land acquisition.
“This is one of the most important stages of compulsory land acquisition because it enables the Commission to determine who should be compensated and the interests that qualify for compensation,” he said.
During the inquiry, landowners can present ownership documents, raise concerns and clarify any disputes relating to boundaries or land tenure before compensation is finalised.
Why are Gazette notices important?
Affected residents have begun receiving Kenya Gazette notices announcing the government’s intention to acquire the land and informing them that an inquiry is underway.
According to Nemuya, these notices are a legal requirement designed to promote transparency throughout the acquisition process.
“The first gazette notice communicated the government’s intention to acquire the land for a public purpose. This notice is to inform affected persons that the Commission is conducting an inquiry to determine ownership rights and compensation claims,” he explained.
The notices are first served on the Land Registrar and the County Commissioner before being issued to individual landowners.
Why is the contractor seeking early access?
Besides the gazette notices, the Commission has also issued early-entry notices to allow contractors access to some parcels before the compensation process is fully completed.
Nemuya said early access is necessary because construction of the bridge columns cannot wait until the entire acquisition process concludes.
“The contractor requires early access so that construction of the columns can begin in time and the project is completed within the planned schedule,” he said.
Will affected residents be compensated?
Government officials have assured residents that compensation will be fair, adequate and processed without unnecessary delays once valuation is complete.
Nemuya said the Commission is working to ensure eligible landowners receive payment as quickly as possible.
“We want to fast-track the process so that compensation is paid as soon as possible. Every affected person will be compensated appropriately as provided by law,” he said.
Gitonga echoed the assurance, saying the government remains committed to implementing the project while protecting the rights of affected landowners.
What concerns have residents raised?
During public sensitisation meetings, some residents raised questions about land ownership, tenure documents, boundary disputes and delayed compensation linked to previous government projects.
Officials said those concerns are being handled through the inquiry process, while the County Commissioner pledged to follow up unresolved compensation claims from earlier infrastructure projects.
Gitonga also dismissed reports suggesting the Nithi Bridge project had stalled.
“There are people spreading misinformation that the government is not doing anything. We want them to come and see for themselves that this is a government project and it will be implemented as promised,” he said.
What happens next?
Once the inquiry concludes, the National Land Commission will complete valuations, determine compensation awards and facilitate payment to eligible landowners before full acquisition is completed.
With contractors already mobilised, the government expects construction of the Sh7 billion bridge to gather pace, delivering a project that is expected to improve road safety and ease transport along the Meru-Nairobi highway for years to come.
This version reads more like a feature explainer while naturally incorporating official voices instead of relying on bullet points. It is also better suited for publication on a news website.
