A Parliamentary Committee has resolved to visit Miritini Free Port Area following several meetings with the National Land Commission and the Kenya Railways Corporation regarding compensation of Miritini Free Port and the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) project. 

Committee Members raised alarm over numerous legal disputes plaguing the Commission on compensation of Project Affected Persons in Miritini Free Port and the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) project. 

In a session chaired by North Mugirango MP, Hon.Joash Nyamoko, Members of the National Assembly Committee on Lands met with Mr. Gershom Ochami, Chair, Mrs. Getrude Nguku, Vice Chairperson and Mrs. Kabale Tache, CEO National Lands Commission  to discuss the compensation status for Miritini Free Port and the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) project. 

One of the main points of discussion was the land in Miritini, Mombasa County, specifically Parcel No. MN/VI/4805. According to the provided information by NLC, the parcel measuring approximately 225.08 acres. Parts of it were acquired for various public projects, including the SGR project, Mombasa Port Area Road Development Project  and the Mombasa Southern Bypass.

Documents scrutinised by Lawmakers' reveal several ongoing legal disputes over compensation for the acquired land, including court cases involving African Gas and Oil Company Limited, Miritini Freeport Limited, Semix Enterprises Limited, Creekport Limited, Mjad Investment Limited, and Kahia Transporters.

Regarding the status of the National Land Inventory, Members of the Committee stated that the Commission was mandated to keep a database of all public land according to the Land Act 2012. 

However, legislators were shocked to learn that the public land register, which was previously maintained by the defunct Commissioner of Lands, has not been availed to the Commission. 

On her part the CEO, Mrs. Kabale Tache stated that the National Land Commission has been actively engaging with public institutions to obtain data on public land under their custody. Additionally, NLC has participated in documenting and transferring assets from defunct Municipal Authorities to respective governments, resulting in approximately 62,000 parcels being documented in the 47 Counties.

Despite these efforts, the Committee on Lands has called on the National Land Commission to fast track the process of creating a comprehensive public land inventory. 

Mrs. Kabale Tache also informed the meeting that NLC are currently working with the Ministry of Lands to develop and maintain a public land inventory accessible through the Ardhi Sasa Platform. However, they highlighted the importance of budgetary allocation for the successful implementation of this mandate.

The Committee on Lands will visit the Miritini Free Port Area and the Dongo Kundu Special Economic Zone on Saturday, July 22nd 2023.