Nithi Bridge landowners to surrender land before compensation
By Kenneth Mwenda, July 2, 2026Tension has emerged in Tharaka Nithi County after 28 residents affected by the Nithi Bridge project were told to surrender their land within two weeks under an early entry order, even as compensation remains pending.
The directive comes after the National Land Commission (NLC) approved a request by the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) to begin construction works on the new bridge alignment before completing payment to all landowners.
KeNHA announced the approval on Wednesday, July 1, 2026, saying it had received clearance to move ahead with construction.
“The Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) has received approval from the National Land Commission (NLC) to commence construction on the new alignment of Nithi Bridge through an Early Entry Request, pending the completion of land acquisition and compensation for affected property owners,” KeNHA stated.
It added that the early entry process would allow access to land to avoid delays, safeguard public interest, and prevent additional contractual costs. The authority said landowners had already been sensitised and issued with notices.
“The early entry approval allows access to eligible land to ensure uninterrupted project implementation, safeguard public interest, and avoid delays and additional contractual costs. Members of the public and Project Affected Persons (PAPs) were sensitized on the process and issued with early entry notices,” KeNHA said.
However, affected residents have pushed back, saying they expected compensation before any takeover of their land. Some say they were surprised by the notices despite earlier government assurances that payments had already been concluded.
The dispute has exposed confusion around statements made by President William Ruto, who recently said while in Meru that compensation for the project had been finalised.
“We have allocated Ksh7 billion for Nithi Bridge construction, and the contractor is already on site. We have also concluded the compensation process and work is ongoing to fix the bridge, which has claimed lives for over 30 years,” the President said during a public event in Meru.
But residents say the ground reality differs from those assurances.
During earlier sensitisation meetings held on May 30, 2026, some officials tried to calm fears that people were being forcibly removed without payment.
Tharaka Nithi County Commissioner David Gitonga told residents not to believe rumours circulating about eviction.
“Mkiambiwa mkuje tukae hapa tuongee tujue mpangilio, ni shida. Kuna mtu anawaambia eeh ni kama mnatolewa, surely! Tafadhali, na najua hapa nyinyi watu wa Tharaka Nithi ni wasomi, nyinyi ni watu mnaelewa… Kuna mtu anakuja kukuambia uongo,” he said.
He added that residents should not be misled by claims that land was being taken without compensation.
“Huyo mtu anakuja kuwaambia uongo. Wacha niwaambie kwa sababu mimi ni mwanadamu. Kuna watu ambao hawafurahii sasa hivi, inaonekana mtalipwa hiyo pesa. Kuna mtu anaona angependelea kuwa mahali hapo. Wanawaambia mkatae, mpinge ili hii mambo ikwame.”
Residents question compensation delay
Land Commission officials also explained the legal basis of the process, saying early entry does not require consent from landowners.
“It is normally called ‘early entry’, so kuita title hivi does not mean that you have given consent; it could have said ‘consent for early entry’... na hapa chini, kuna mahali utaandika jina, uweke ID, na usign, that you have been served,” NLC Director for Valuation and Taxation Joel Ombati said.
“If you are uncomfortable being served, we serve the chief. That is what the law says. If you are uncomfortable being served, we serve the chief. Tunaserver chief anasign, anaichukua kwa niaba ya watu wa location yake.”
Despite these explanations, some landowners say they feel pressured into signing early entry notices. Others argue they were not given clear timelines for compensation after compulsory acquisition began.
One resident, Eunita Mukwanyaga, said she signed the notice reluctantly after being told the chief could sign on behalf of residents who refused.
“I had no option but to sign it myself. I came to the meeting expecting information on the compensation for my three parcels of land,” she said.
Another resident, Munene Njeru, questioned the contradiction between government funding for construction and delays in payment to landowners.
“How come the government has funds to pay the contractor yet there is no clear budget for land owners? We are worried because the president said compensation has been done,” he said.
Pauline Gituma said residents were left uncertain after meetings failed to provide clear compensation timelines.
NLC Director for Valuation and Taxation Joel Ombati defended the decision, saying KeNHA requested early entry because the contractor is already on site.
“Kenha has requested us to effect Section 120(2) of the Land Act to pave the way for the construction of bridge columns… we are issuing early entry notices to 28 land owners,” he said.
He added that compensation would continue despite early access.
“I wish to assure affected land owners that the government has money for compensation. The notice of early entry does not stop the compensation process,” Ombati said.
KeNHA project manager Michael Ngala confirmed that the contractor is ready to begin work immediately once access is granted. Tharaka-Nithi County Commissioner David Gitonga also said valuation has been completed and compensation will follow.
The standoff now leaves residents waiting on their land while construction prepares to move forward, highlighting growing friction between urgency in infrastructure delivery and delayed land compensation.