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Nairobi-Mombasa Expressway Cleared To Start
Nairobi, Kenya: The Nairobi-Mombasa Expressway project has finally gained momentum, securing first-stage approval for construction under a public-private partnership (PPP) model. This marks a crucial milestone for the much-anticipated highway, bringing it one step closer to reality.
The 473-kilometer highway, estimated to cost $3.6 billion (Sh554 billion), is now in advanced stages of preparation following the recent PPP committee approval. This paves the way for the project to enter the development phase, where the finer details will be finalized before construction begins.
The road to this point has been long and winding. In 2017, Kenya signed a Sh230 billion deal with American engineering firm Bechtel, but negotiations for financing through US export credit agencies stalled. Four years later, Bechtel opted out, citing the toll-based PPP model as too expensive.
However, the project wasn’t abandoned. In July 2022, Korean Overseas Infrastructure and Urban Development Corporation Africa (KIND) stepped in, presenting a feasibility study for a PPP-based construction. KIND, with its vested interest in Kenya’s infrastructure development, has now taken the lead in the project.
While Bechtel remains open to participating “in the most fiscally responsible way,” KIND is currently at the helm. This shift towards PPP aligns with Kenya’s growing preference for alternative financing models, as seen with the successful completion of the Nairobi Expressway, the country’s first toll road.
The Nairobi-Mombasa Expressway promises significant benefits, including reduced travel times, boosted economic activity, and improved regional connectivity.
Kenyatta Family Sues Government over Taveta Land
Former First Lady Mama Ngina Kenyatta and former Taveta MP Basil Criticos have filed a lawsuit against the Chief Lands Registrar and the Attorney General over a 1062.3-hectare piece of land in Taita Taveta County.
The duo claims to be the rightful owners of the land, identified as LR No. 10287/7 Taveta, but have been denied a Certificate of Title by the Lands Registrar. They argue that they were the joint proprietors of the land before it was subdivided, and that after the subdivision, other parties were issued certificates for their respective portions while their own claim remains unrecognized.
“It is now over one year since the property was registered under the provisions of the Land Registration Act, and the Registrar has failed to issue to the applicants the said Certificate of Title,” their court papers state.
Kenyatta and Criticos argue that the lack of a certificate impedes their rights as landowners and prevents them from using the land as they see fit. They blame the Registrar for the delay and demand that he issue them the original certificate.
The court has deemed the matter urgent and granted the plaintiffs leave to serve their motion within 14 days. The case will be mentioned again on March 5, 2024, for a compliance report.
Kenyan Bishops React to Pope’s Same-Sex Blessing Stance
The Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB) Wednesday issued a nuanced statement in response to Pope Francis’ recent decision allowing blessings for same-sex couples. While emphasizing the Church’s unwavering stance on marriage as a sacrament between a man and a woman, the statement also underscores a message of inclusivity and pastoral outreach.
Archbishop Martin Kivuva Musonde, KCCB Chairman, acknowledged the Vatican document, “Fiducia Supplicans,” which clarifies the scope of blessings. He highlighted its emphasis on “simple blessings” outside of liturgical settings, drawing parallels to blessings bestowed by parents or Christian couples on their children, regardless of their circumstances.
Crucially, Musonde clarified that blessings “do not endorse or approve of any immoral behavior.” Instead, they are intended to encourage personal growth and a return to God’s teachings. “The work of the Church is to gather the scattered, recover the lost and redirect all sinners back to the fount of salvation,” he stated.
Evangelization, he emphasized, is a personal journey, aided by God’s grace and the Church’s ministry. This journey is open to all, regardless of their moral or faith background, as the document acknowledges. “Anyone, irrespective of their moral life or faith condition, are welcome to receive blessings from the Church,” Musonde declared.
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