President
William Ruto has criticized the National
Land Commission (NLC) for biased compensation valuations in cases where the The government has identified properties for forcible land acquisition.
During
a church service in Isiolo, Ruto stated that the Lands ministry will perform
valuations in the future for accountability and to ensure equality while
carrying out land compensation.
“I
have already commanded the NLC people that they will no longer do the
evaluations for land compensation. The Ministry of Lands will carry out the
valuations so as to ensure every Kenyan get their equal share,†he said.
“I
want NLC to listen to me very carefully because that commission has become like
a market. Someone goes there land worth Sh100,000 is being valued at Sh1 million.
For those unwilling to pay bribes, land worth Sh1 million is devalued to
Sh100,000,†Ruto illustrated.
Furthermore,
Ruto highlighted the need of treating all Kenyans fairly and ensuring that
everyone gets what they deserve.
“That
nonsense must stop and going forward it is not possible for the National Lands
Commission to decide where the compensation is going to happen, who is going to
be compensated and how much is it going to be paid,†he said.
“We
must separate for purposes of accountability NLC to do their work and the
Ministry of Lands who have the power to do the valuation they do their work so
that we stop this problem that Isiolo residents have found themselves to be
compensated.â€
NLC
is on the spot for alleged discrimination in compensation of project-affected
persons in a road project in Isiolo.
In
a recent report, the Senate Lands Committee accused the NLC of bias in
compensating those impacted and ordered the commission to halt the compensation
process until the issue is rectified.
She
further stated that the commission withheld the compensation tabulation and
compelled the affected parties to sign permission forms.
On
April 26, Cabinet Secretary for Land Zachariah Njeru was called before the
Senate Committee to answer issues about inequalities in compensation rates
highlighted by Dullo.
The
Senator asked the CS to explain the methodology used to calculate compensation
figures and what safeguards are in place to ensure equitable compensation in
such circumstances.
“We
are representing people and not animals. Why are Nuno-Modogashe residents paid
less than their counterparts in Garissa County?†asked Dullo.
“Things
were not done in the right manner as people were forced to sign the consent
because they are ignorant. Leaders were not involved in the entire process.â€
The
CS stated that the National Land Commission would thoroughly explain the topic
of why there was a difference in compensation.
Following
that, Senate Speaker Amason Kingi invited NLC Chairperson Gershom Otachi to
appear before the appropriate house committee to deliver the essential answers.
.jpeg)
.jpg)