The Chief Executive Officer of the National Land Commission (NLC) today hosted a crucial delegation from the National Irrigation Authority (NIA) at the Commission’s headquarters in Nairobi to address long-standing compensation disputes affecting the Lower Kuja Irrigation Project in Migori County.
Board Chairman Eng led the NIA delegation. Gilbert Maluki and Chief Executive Officer, Eng. Charles Muasya, accompanied by representatives of Project Affected Persons (PAPs). Several PAPs have filed legal proceedings over delayed compensation, stalling the final 20% of the project despite overall progress reaching 80% completion.
During the closed-door meeting, both parties agreed to a framework for an out-of-court settlement, aimed at fast-tracking fair compensation before the end of the year. The National Land Commission has taken the lead in coordinating the resolution process, pledging full adherence to due process, transparency, and equitable valuation standards.
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“The National Land Commission is fully seized of this matter and will ensure every affected person receives their rightful compensation without further delay,” a senior NLC official stated after the talks.
The meeting was also attended by NLC Director of Finance and Corporate Planning, CPA Benard Cherutich, Director of Valuation and Taxation Joel Ombati Nyamweya, and Principal Valuer Peter Kaunda, alongside NIA’s Director of Human Resource and Administration CHRP Kabale Tache Arero, MBS, and representatives from the Ministry of Lands, Public Works, Housin,g and Urban Development.
The Lower Kuja Irrigation Project, when completed, is expected to bring over 12,000 acres of land under irrigation, significantly boosting rice production and food security in the region. Officials from both institutions expressed optimism that today’s engagement marks a decisive turning point toward completing the multi-billion-shilling scheme without further legal or community disruptions.
