Nyeri: The completion of the Sagana-Marua dual carriageway has been delayed due to technical issues in settling land compensation claims to Project Affected Persons (PAPs). The 36-kilometre road project, which was initially scheduled for completion in October this year, has been extended because of challenges in compensating landowners and relocating key utilities like power lines.
According to Kenya News Agency, the Central Region Kenya National Highway Authority (Kenha) Resident Engineer, the project, which began on July 30, 2020, with an estimated cost of Sh14 billion, is currently 79% complete, lagging behind its projected progress. Itobi reported these details to the Central Regional Implementation Coordination and Management Committee (NGD-RICMC), chaired by Central Regional Deputy Commissioner Benson Leparmorijo.
The project, funded by the African Development Bank (AfDB) and the Government of Kenya, forms part of the larger 84-kilometre Kenol-Sagana-Marua Road expansion project, which has a total earmarked cost of Sh40 billion. The Kenol-Sagana section, referred to as Lot 1, is at 92% completion, but the Sagana-Marua stretch faces significant delays due to land acquisition issues.
Itobi mentioned public demonstrations due to delayed payments and the pending completion of a viaduct in Karatina town. Engineer Sayed Antiqulla from China Wu Yi Company, the contractor for the Sagana-Marua road, also highlighted the adverse impact of these issues on the project’s timeline, including planned peaceful protests and work stoppages by PAPs.
The challenges include accessing critical road sections due to delayed land acquisition, overseen by the National Land Commission (NLC), and relocating utilities in areas like Karatina town. Despite these hurdles, Kirinyaga County has seen substantial progress in compensation, with 932 out of 1,014 PAPs receiving a total of Sh1.5 billion. However, in Nyeri County, only 327 out of 1,351 PAPs listed have received compensation.
The Kenol-Sagana-Marua dual carriageway, part of the Great North Road/Trans Highway, aims to enhance connectivity within Kenya and extend to Ethiopia and the Horn of Africa, contributing to reduced travel time, improved road safety, economic growth, and regional integration.