Kilifi residents threaten legal action over unpaid land compensation from KETRACO
The residents have given KETRACO a 14-day ultimatum to pay up, or they will seek legal redress.
A group of residents from Sosoni village in Jilore Ward, Kilifi County, is threatening legal action against the Kenya Electricity Transmission Company (KETRACO) for failing to settle compensation dues for land used in building a transmission line.
The residents have given KETRACO a 14-day ultimatum to pay up, or they will seek legal redress.
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As reported by Citizen Digital, the residents are demanding compensation for their land and property along the Kakuyuni-Weru section of the proposed Malindi-Kilifi 82.5 kilovolt transmission line, a project that has been in the pipeline for years.
Some of the locals have already started constructing new buildings or reconstructing houses on the land designated for the transmission line, despite repeated advice from KETRACO and local administrators not to do any developments.
Residents have expressed frustration after allegedly waiting for over five years for compensation, and some have decided to take matters into their own hands.
Mumba Mwagandi Ngala, a resident, said the community had grown tired of KETRACO's promises and had no choice but to seek legal action to force the company to either pay the dues or let them move on with their lives.
"Locals are frustrated. We've waited for far too long, and it's clear the company has no intention of paying us," Ngala said.
Elias Katana Kadzeha, another resident, urged KETRACO to speed up the compensation, warning that if delays continue, the company would have to re-evaluate the land and property once new developments are made.
Edward Kingi, a local leader who has been advocating for the residents, stated that he has gathered substantial evidence, including an environmental impact assessment report and an evaluation report.
Kingi said he is ready to take legal action if KETRACO fails to settle the compensation claims within the 14-day period.
A valuation report from the Kenya News Agency shows that compensating property owners along the entire proposed transmission line could cost KETRACO over Sh697.14 million, with the residents in Jilore expected to receive more than Sh142.3 million.
KETRACO has yet to respond to the residents' demands.
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