The National Land Commission (NLC) has announced its intention to compulsorily acquire land in Meru County to facilitate the realignment of Nithi River Bridge along the Makutano-Embu-Meru (A9) Road.
This decision was formalized via a Gazette Notice issued on May 15, indicating that the acquisition will be conducted on behalf of the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA).
The notice explicitly stated: “NOTICE is hereby given that the National Land Commission intends to acquire land specified in the accompanying schedule on behalf of Kenya National Highways Authority…, for the realignment of Nithi River Bridge along Makutano–Embu–Meru Road Project in Meru County.”
According to the notice, a total of 50 parcels of land will be acquired, collectively covering an area of 10.51 hectares.
The affected lands span agricultural and residential settlement zones, while additional parcels have ownership records yet to be formally confirmed by the relevant authorities.
Portions of the affected land are substantial, with some privately owned parcels extending nearly two hectares, while other smaller residential or farm plots have been cultivated by families for generations.
The commission confirmed its compliance with section 110 of the Land Act, which mandates that “The National Land Commission (NLC) must publish a Notice of Acquisition in the Kenya Gazette, specifying precisely when the property will transfer to government ownership and providing instructions regarding any plant or machinery located on the land.”
Concurrently, the NLC issued a separate notice concerning land in Homa Bay County, targeting areas required for the proposed realignment of the Homa Bay-Rongo (B3) Road and the planned expansion of Kabunde Airstrip within the county.
The notice read: “NOTICE is hereby given that the National Land Commission intends to acquire land specified in the accompanying schedule on behalf of Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) in accordance with section 110 of the Land Act No. 6 of 2012 for the Proposed Re-Alignment of Homa Bay-Rongo (B3) Road to enable the expansion of Kabunde Airstrip in Homa Bay County.”
In Homa Bay County, the targeted land comprises 86 parcels covering 9.1095 hectares, including agricultural fields, residential areas, and institutional properties. The ownership varies from individual farmers and religious organizations to a public university and county government entities as specified in the notice.
Prominent institutions in Homa Bay facing land loss include Tom Mboya University College, which will surrender more than two hectares, and the South Nyanza County Council, also prominently featured on the acquisition list.
This development occurs amidst growing instances of the government’s failure to compensate rightful landowners for proposed projects, with state agencies reportedly defaulting on compensation payments exceeding Ksh56 billion.
In connection with the Ksh20 billion James Gichuru–Rironi Road Project in Kiambu County, hundreds of landowners and businesses experienced delayed compensation, receiving partial payments while outstanding balances remained unpaid for years despite litigation claims.
Landowners along the Kibwezi–Kitui Road waited extended periods for compensation despite parliamentary petitions, while Lamu communities impacted by the Ksh2.5 trillion stalled coal project remain uncompensated and unable to utilize their land fully.
In Busia County, property owners affected by the Ksh1.24 billion Ejinja–Bumala Road project report significant compensation delays. Construction has continued while acquiring agencies have failed to make payments, displacing families into financial hardship.