The national government, through the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA), has announced plans to acquire land from residents for the Mombasa–Mariakani Road project. In a gazette notice dated September 13, 2024, KeNHA detailed intentions to acquire land parcels ranging from 0.1 to 0.8 acres as part of the road’s dualing initiative.
Gershom Otachi, Chairperson of the National Lands Commission (NLC), urged affected parties to inspect land plans available at Ardhi House and the NLC County Coordinator’s Office in Mombasa, stating, “Affected parties should familiarize themselves with the plans as we prepare for compensation discussions.”
This announcement follows a challenging history, as previous land acquisition attempts by KeNHA led to legal battles with residents who claimed their rights were overlooked. In 2015, residents sued the agency, alleging due process was not followed in the compulsory acquisition.
The Mombasa-Mariakani project has garnered financial support from the European Investment Bank, the German Development Bank, and the EU-Africa Infrastructure Trust Fund, with a total project cost of Ksh 10.4 billion. The initiative aims to enhance road capacity from a two-way lane to a four-way dual carriageway, featuring climbing lanes, service lanes, and improved urban drainage.
KeNHA emphasized that the project is designed to improve transportation efficiency, enhance pedestrian facilities, and construct truck parking areas, making it a significant step towards modernizing the region’s infrastructure.
