By Erick Nyayiera
44 families in Rarieda Sub-county whose 16 acre land valued at Shs.4.6 million was acquired by the government for the construction of Rarieda Teachers Training College, have begun receiving compensation. It was also meant to host a National Youth Service training centre.
The land is owned collectively, and they received an initial installment of Sh.2.2 million while the remaining Shs.2.4 million is expected to be paid before the end of October 2022, according to area MP Dr. Otiende Amolo.
Speaking at the site of the construction of the two facilities in Bwaja village in East Asembo, Dr Otiende disclosed that negotiations were ongoing with four families which had been reluctant to surrender their parcels. He was issuing the compensation cheques from the area CDF kitty.
“10 acres of land acquired will be used to set up Rarieda TTC, the only of its kind in the country to offer Science Diploma courses after Mombasa, Meru and Kibabii. The remaining 6 acres have been set aside for a NYS training centre which has already been approved by the Interior ministry,” Dr. Otiende stated.
The legislator said the people of Bwaja village voluntarily gave up their land for the double project, adding that what had been given as compensation was a mere token of appreciation.
It is expect that the two institutions will bring positive economic change in the region.
Otiende disclosed that the construction of the TTC, which will be fully funded by the CDF, has been scheduled to commence before August 2022 with the first phase set to cost Shs.10 million, while the NYS facility will be done by the Interior ministry.
Rarieda NG-CDF accounts manager Mr Kennedy Chacha said the process of land acquisition and compensation, which began 2018, has been a success.
Chacha disclosed that a government valuer undertook the survey and valuation, which informed the amounts of compensation each received. Additional features like structures and number of graves on the parcels attracted more funds.
Bwaja community spokesperson Jack Hongo exuded confidence that the decision they made to give up their land will be beneficial not only to themselves but also the entire region.
“The two institutions will provide job opportunities for the locals and also ready markets for the local farmers’ produce,” said Hongo.
