By Reporter
Civil society leaders and community representatives have called on the National Land Commission (NLC) to urgently address disputed land issues along the LAPSSET Corridor to ensure fair compensation and issuance of title deeds for affected squatters and landowners.
Speaking in Mokowe village, Salim Said, the Lamu Coordinator for Natural Justice, highlighted the growing crisis of landlessness affecting at least 3,000 squatters in areas such as Roka, Kililana, Mashunduani, and Bodhei.
The LAPSSET (Lamu Port-South Sudan-Ethiopia Transport) Corridor is a multi-billion-dollar infrastructure project aimed at spurring economic development in Kenya and the region.
However, its continued construction despite land owners not being compensated has sparked tensions over land ownership and displacement in affected communities.
Civil society leaders now urge the government to prioritize speedy resolution of land disputes to mitigate the impacts of development on vulnerable and disenfranchised communities along the LAPSSET corridor.
He emphasized the pressing need for the NLC to resolve compensation claims arising from the ongoing LAPSSET Corridor construction.
“The construction of the Lamu-Garissa-Isiolo road, which is part of the LAPSSET project, is 60% complete, but the land compensation process remains unresolved,” said Said.
He criticized the national government for exceeding the agreed 100-meter cutline for infrastructure development, extending it to 500 meters into community land.
“This is a clear violation of the laws governing land demarcation. Natural Justice, alongside other stakeholders, is working to ensure affected locals receive compensation within the legal framework,” Said added.
Diza Doza, a Boni community leader, expressed frustration over the project encroaching on their ancestral lands, noting the lack of transparent compensation.
“We are collaborating with stakeholders to ensure fair treatment for our people, even though the project has already displaced many,” he said.
Save Lamu Secretary General Mohammed Athman reiterated the urgency of resolving the compensation disputes.
“The national government must step up to ensure justice for those affected. Save Lamu is compiling a comprehensive list of affected individuals across counties like Garissa, Isiolo, Turkana, and Samburu to push for fair compensation,” Athman stated.
Lamu Women Representative Muthoni Marubu assured her continued advocacy for those affected. “Securing title deeds for these communities is vital to prepare them for the economic transformations the LAPSSET Corridor will bring. Their rights must not be overlooked,” she said.
