This archive report was first published on 15 June 2021.
Kenya National Highway Authority (Kenha) has announced plans to demolish several buildings and properties in Karatina Town to pave way for the construction of the Kenol-Sagana-Marua dual carriage on the Great North highway.
According to Kenha Director-General Peter Mundinia, several buildings on the left side of town will be demolished, including Omega, Maguna, and Mathai supermarkets, Total, Mogas, and Ola Petrol stations, and a host of other businesses along the road.
A section of Karatina Girl's High School, Baricho Farmers' Co-operative Society, and several commercial buildings in the town centre will also be affected.
However, Mundinia assured that building and structures on the right side of the town will not be affected by the demolition.
He further stated that owners of buildings and businesses that will be demolished will be compensated at the market rates once the valuation is done by the National Land Commission.
Properties that are eligible for compensation include buildings, land, assets on the land such as crops, trees, and graves, and affected public social utilities such as power supply and water pipelines that will require relocation.
Additionally, Mundinia said the current design will also involve putting a flyover over the rail line near DEB Primary School.
