Kilifi residents demand compensation from KETRACO for unpaid property rights

A section of residents of Sosoni village in Jilore Ward, Kilifi County, have threatened legal action against the Kenya Electricity Transmission Company (KETRACO) for allegedly failing to pay their travel permit compensation dues.

The residents issued a 14-day ultimatum to KETRACO on Friday, demanding payment of compensation for their land and properties along the Kakuyuni-Weru section of the proposed 82.5 kilovolt Malindi-Kilifi transmission line.

Some residents have already begun rebuilding homes on the proposed project land, while others are building new structures, despite advice from both the company and local administrators to refrain from doing so. This after allegedly waiting more than five years to receive compensation.

Mumba Mwagandi Ngala, a resident, said locals grew tired of KETRACO’s alleged lies and had no choice but to seek legal redress to force the company to pay up or allow residents to move on with their lives.

Elias Katana Kadzeha, for his part, urged the company to speed up the compensation process and make payments, warning that if delays continue, a new valuation of the land and other properties will be necessary once residents begin new developments.

Edward Kingi, who has been leading the fight for residents’ rights, has gathered evidence, including an Environmental Impact Assessment Report and an Assessment Report.

He said he is willing to take legal action if KETRACO does not meet the residents’ demands within the given deadline.

A valuation report seen by the Kenya News Agency indicates that compensating owners along the entire proposed transmission line would cost KETRACO more than Ksh697.14 million, with Jilore owners receiving more than 142.3 million Kenyan shillings.