Leaders from Northern Kenya have urged Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) to expedite the implementation of the Lamu Port South Sudan Ethiopia Transport (LAPSSET) corridor project.

Led by Lagdera MP Abdikadir Mohamed, the leaders said the project was long overdue and residents were losing economically because of the delay.

Speaking in a consultative meeting in Nairobi which brought together various players implementing the projects, Mohamed (pictured) accused the government of highhandedness, saying decisions that affect the people are always made by a few individuals.

“Our Constitution gives the people power to make decision for themselves in a public participation fora, but in this case we have seen none in our areas,” said the legislator.

The lawmakers expressed their frustration on matters involving compensation for community land, accusing the National Land Commission for selective valuation of the land.

“We demand for valuation matrix used by National Land Commission to calculate compensation in our areas versus valuation in others,” he said.

Abdikadir also urged the main contractor to give sub-contracts to the local contractors and employ locals.

 Garissa Governor Nathif Jamma called on local communities to support KeNHA in the implementation of the project. He also urged KeNHA to redesign the project so that it can serve both urban and peri-urban members of the community.