Residents of Shamakhokho in Vihiga County are set to receive more than Sh115 million in compensation for land acquired for the Kipsigak-Serem-Shamakhokho Road construction nearly 19 years ago.

This development comes after persistent efforts by the Commission on Administrative Justice (CAJ), also known as the Office of the Ombudsman, which engaged key government agencies including the State Department for Roads, Kenya Rural Roads Authority (KeRRA), and the National Land Commission (NLC).

On May 6, 2026, the State Department for Roads transferred Sh115,419,689 through KeRRA to the NLC to facilitate the payment of the affected residents’ claims.

Long-Standing Compensation Dispute

The dispute dates back to 2007 when the land was compulsorily acquired for the road project. The residents initially filed a complaint with the CAJ’s Kisumu Regional Office in 2017, highlighting the delay in compensation payments.

The CAJ subsequently engaged the relevant agencies to clarify the status of the acquisition and expedite the compensation process. The delay was attributed to administrative and financial challenges, including changes in agency responsibilities following legislative reforms such as the Roads Act (2007) and the Land Act (2012).

KeRRA assumed responsibility for the road project, while the NLC took over land acquisition duties from the former Commissioner of Lands. Despite budgetary constraints cited by KeRRA, the CAJ continued to press for resolution, summoning senior officials over the delays.

Next Steps

  • The CAJ has urged the NLC to promptly process and disburse the compensation to the affected landowners.
  • The NLC has been given a 30-day deadline to provide updates on verification, awards, and completion of payments.
  • The Office of the Ombudsman has lifted a Show Cause Notice against the Principal Secretary of the State Department for Roads following the fund transfer but maintains recommendations for prosecution over non-compliance with summons.

This milestone marks a significant step towards resolving a nearly two-decade-old grievance for the Shamakhokho community.