Kenol-Sagana-Marua highway delayed over land ownership disputes

By Newsflash Repoter

The completion of the Kenol-Sagana-Marua Highway has hit a major setback as contractors struggle with unresolved land ownership and succession disputes. Despite the government releasing 40 percent of pending payments to contractors to revive stalled projects nationwide, those working on the Central Kenya road say progress is crippled by incomplete documentation and inheritance battles among affected landowners.

Contractors revealed that while the National Land Commission (NLC) has already paid Ksh3.3 billion to families and individuals displaced by the roadworks, an additional Ksh1.6 billion in compensation remains pending due to land succession issues. Without legitimate title deeds, compensation claims cannot be processed, leaving several sections of the road inaccessible for construction.

“The delay is because there are some issues in land documentation and succession problems. It took a long time for the land acquisition, but we have completed 90 percent of the work. We now plan to finalize the project by January 2026,” one contractor explained.

Work Continues on Dispute-Free Sections

While disputes slow down large sections of the project, engineers have pressed ahead with construction on areas free of ownership conflicts. James Nguyo, Deputy Engineer for Mau Mau roads, confirmed that contractors are already working on parallel sections of the highway with the goal of completing at least seven kilometers before the end of 2025.

“The contractor has mobilized and is already working on various sections, and the plan is to undertake two milestones concurrently. Seven kilometers are expected to be complete before December this year,” Nguyo stated.

The Kenol-Sagana-Marua road, part of the wider Nairobi-Nyeri highway corridor, is seen as a critical infrastructure link for trade, tourism, and agricultural transport between Nairobi and Central Kenya. Once completed, it is expected to ease congestion, improve regional connectivity, and open up economic opportunities for communities along the route.

Government Push to Revive Stalled Projects

The delays come just weeks after Transport Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir announced that the government is reviving more than 580 stalled road projects across the country. Appearing before Parliament in late July, Chirchir confirmed that the State had cleared 40 percent of the pending contractor bills, with plans to disburse another 40 percent in the coming weeks.

“The biggest challenge has been a lack of liquidity to settle pending bills. That is why contractors halted work. We have now eliminated the excuse of non-payment,” Chirchir told MPs.

He added that the Ministry of Transport had directed road agencies—including the Kenya Rural Roads Authority (KeRRA), Kenya Urban Roads Authority (KURA), and Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA)—to fast-track delivery and ensure value for money.

As contractors push forward despite legal hurdles, the success of the Kenol-Sagana-Marua Highway project now rests on how quickly land disputes can be resolved. With a January 2026 completion target in sight, the project remains both a test of government efficiency and a symbol of the challenges that continue to slow Kenya’s road development.