Members of the Kenya Railways Retirement Pension Scheme are seeking President Uhuru’s intervention over delayed compensation.
The pensioners had released land for the construction of the Nairobi Expressway five years ago. However, in a letter released this week but dated March 18, 2021, Kenya Railway Workers Association Nairobi secretary Joab Kidaha they have experienced compensation delays which was occasioned by the unavailability of a certificate of search for the land that had yet to be given.
“The first instalment of the Sh1.2 billion had been released on February 23, 2021. However, the funds cannot be released by the National Land Commission as the Ministry of Lands has not provided the certificate of search for the piece of land,” said Mr. Kidaha.
Nairobi Expressway Project
The association further explained that the pensioners needed the funds urgently for medical purposes, adding that most of them were elderly and required the money.
“We have been visiting these offices. They have been taking us in circles. What he has been telling us is that there is an important document that needs to be perused and finally signed, but it seems there is a shirking of duties of sorts ostensibly to frustrate us,” Kidaha said.
On their side NLC chairman Gershom Otachi said the commission has finalized all plans to ensure the pensioners have their money.
“We have been in this matter for some time now, but we are happy to see that we are making some progress. We expect that NLC will start to pay Sh1.2 billion,” said Otachi.
The Nairobi Expressway Project is a 27-kilometer road project beginning from Mlolongo through the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) and Nairobi’s CBD to Westland’s area along Waiyaki Way. The project involves a four-lane and six-lane dual carriageway within the existing median of Mombasa Road/Uhuru Highway/Waiyaki Way and 10 interchanges.
