NLC moves to acquire land for 124km North Rift road and Machakos water project
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The National Land Commission has published compulsory acquisition notices for a 124km KeNHA road across Elgeyo Marakwet and West Pokot and for a Machakos water project, with compensation inquiries scheduled in November.
The National Land Commission (NLC) has announced compulsory land acquisition in Machakos, Elgeyo Marakwet and West Pokot counties for infrastructure projects, through a gazette notice dated 16 October 2026.
The notices cover a 124km road connecting Barpello, Tot, Sigor and Marich Pass in Elgeyo Marakwet and West Pokot counties, being undertaken on behalf of the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA). The project comprises three sections: 43km from Barpello (Moru) to Tot Junction, 46km from Tot Junction through Chesegon to Kopasi River, and 35km to Marich Pass.
The commission has scheduled public inquiries at chiefs’ camps between 10 and 27 November 2026, allowing affected residents to raise concerns about the proposed acquisition and compensation. It listed several locations as unregistered community land, including Chemonyo, Murtukwo, Ketut, Kibiriem, Koibirir and Talai in Elgeyo Marakwet. In West Pokot the inquiries will cover Cheptelul, Kona, Lomut, Chester, Sigor and Marich Pass, with the areas earmarked for acquisition yet to be determined.
Residents and interested parties must submit written compensation claims, identification documents, KRA PIN details, land ownership records and bank account information before their respective inquiry dates.
Separately, the NLC intends to acquire 0.0678 hectares from the Muka Mukuu Farmers Co-operative Society in Machakos County for the Mwala Cluster Water Supply project, on behalf of the Athi Water Works Development Agency (AWWDA) under Section 110 of the Land Act. The affected parcel is in Donyosabuk/Donyo Sabuk West Block, and an inquiry is set for 4 November at the Donyo Sabuk Chief’s Office from 10am.
AWWDA is implementing a 2023-2027 strategic plan backed by an estimated Ksh206 billion investment to expand water and sanitation access. The agency targets 461,000 cubic metres per day in additional water storage and 318,500 cubic metres per day in treatment capacity, alongside more than 443km of transmission pipelines and 880km of sewer networks, including the Thiririka Dam, Maragua 4 Dam and Northern Collector Tunnel II projects.