Kisumu road faces hurdles from multiple land claims

Managers of the proposed Kisumu bypass have complained of many bottlenecks that they fear will delay the completion of the projected.

According to Sinohydro Corporation’s project manager Qu Lei, cases of multiple claims on land ownership are hampering the availability of murram and granite used in construction.

He cited two cases where after signing an agreement authorising excavation with one farmer, another “genuine” owner came up to stop the process accusing them of trespass.

“It is sad because we had already paid half of the total cost of murram we wanted. We have since cancelled the deal but this means our money has just gone down the drain,” he said.

Mr Lei asked the municipality to intervene because the contested title deeds were issued by the council.

READ: Government now faces dilemma over road project

“We currently rely on six acres of murram land that will soon be depleted considering our speed of work; it can barely go for three weeks,” he said.

This section of the road is part of the Sh14.6 billion Mau Summit-Kericho-Kisumu highways investment that was unveiled by Roads minister Franklin Bett last year.

Another hindrance cited by the official is slow evacuation and resistance from those owning businesses on areas that are meant for the road construction.

“There are those who do not want to move, and although in all cases we’ve been able to have our way, it ends up holding us back.” He said.