Project Affected Persons (PAPs) along the Kwale-Kinango Road have issued the government a seven-day ultimatum to compensate them for their land and property, threatening to stop the ongoing construction works if their demands are not met.
The affected residents said they had formally written to the government demanding payment, warning that they would mobilise to halt construction activities once the seven-day notice expires.
One of the affected persons, Mwinyi Mwatasa, said the project was nearing completion despite many residents yet to receive compensation, raising concerns about their livelihoods and future settlement.
“The contractors are about to complete the project, yet we have not received our compensation. We have given the government seven days, and if we are not paid, we will stop the construction until we receive our money,” said Mwatasa.
Mwanaisha Ramadhan, another affected resident, said the road project had disrupted her livelihood after her farm, which provided food and income for her family, was affected by the construction.
She said she previously relied on selling farm produce to meet her child’s school expenses but was now struggling financially due to the loss of her crops.
“My crops were my only source of income. I used to sell them to pay school fees for my child, but now I do not know when we will receive our compensation,” said Ramadhan.
Human rights activist Omar Weko accused the government of violating the constitutional right to property by failing to compensate the affected residents, saying compensation should be provided in accordance with the law.
Weko cited Article 40 of the Constitution, which protects the right to property and provides for prompt payment in full of just compensation where property is compulsorily acquired.
Meanwhile, Majimbo Mkondo, a project affected person, raised concerns over the list of beneficiaries gazetted for compensation, alleging that some individuals listed were not the actual victims of the road project.
He called on the relevant authorities to investigate the list and ensure that only legitimate project-affected persons receive compensation.
The residents maintained that they would proceed with their planned protest and disrupt construction activities if the government failed to honour their compensation demands within the stipulated seven days.
By Mtumwa Makange
