State releases Sh2 billion to compensate over Mtwapa Bridge construction

SITATI REAGAN-KNA

The Government has released Sh2 billion to compensate Project-Affected Persons (PAPs) along the Mombasa– Mtwapa–Kilifi (A7) road corridor, clearing a major hurdle that had delayed construction of the 340- metre Mtwapa Bridge and the broader dualling project, Transport Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir has said.

Addressing journalists during a site visit at Mtwapa Bridge, Chirchir said the National Land Commission (NLC) is finalising payments to affected traders and property owners, with Sh838 million released to the commission to facilitate the relocation of businesses within Mtwapa town.

“We have provided all the funding to the National Land Commission, and the commission is in the process of finalising payments. About Sh838 million was released today to ensure that traders along this corridor, particularly in Mtwapa town, can be relocated,” he said.

The CS noted that PAPs are given 30 days’ notice before any demolition is undertaken, adding that construction through Mtwapa town to open up the dual carriageway will commence once the notice period lapses. 

Chirchir said the Mtwapa-Kilifi section, the second lot of the project, was largely complete, with approximately 7.7 kilometres of dualling finalised on one side. 

He added that a presidential directive had been issued to extend the dualling to the Export Processing Zone (EPZ) in Vipingo, with design work for that section currently underway.

On the Mombasa-Mtwapa Lot 1 section, covering about 13 kilometres to the bridge, the CS said land acquisition challenges had been resolved, with four of seven major junction bridges already built and open to traffic.

Work on the remaining three bridges is ongoing. “What was a challenge yesterday in the compensation of project-affected persons is not a problem today. We will see accelerated work through the entire corridor and have traffic flowing as it should,” Chirchir said.

To minimize disruption to motorists, the CS said the contractor had been advised to prioritise the Bamburi side of the road, from kilometre zero to four, which falls within a single large land ownership.

Opening the service road on that side would allow traffic to be diverted while work continues on the opposite carriageway.