The impact of compulsory land acquisition on displaced households: The case of the Third Nairobi Water Supply Project, Kenya

Abstract

This paper analyses the impact of compulsory land acquisition on displaced persons in Kenya. The analysis reveals that compulsory land acquisition quite often has far-reaching socio-economic impact on the lives of persons whose parcels of land are acquired. The effects of compulsory land acquisition identified included changes in income levels, land utilisation, land-ownership structure, farming practices, familial composition and cultural and social values, norms and bonds. In this paper, land acquisition, compensation and resettlement processes are briefly discussed. The main focus is, however, on the socio-economic impact that compulsory land acquisition has on the persons affected by the process. Some suggestions are made as to how the process can be improved in future. It is hoped that the lessons learned from this case study will be informative to decision makers not only in Kenya but also in other developing countries where public construction projects cause displacement of residents. Although the project and hence the affected people are located in a rural settlement, the purpose of the project is to supply water to Nairobi city. It is therefore a case of how urban projects can have far-reaching effects beyond urban boundaries.