Investors scramble for Lamu prime land

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This explains the intrigues surrounding elections to choose the Lamu county council chairman. Control of the council would mean that the goodies that are anticipated with the multi-billion- shilling project will be within easy reach.

Land sharks

But a major cause of concern to Lamu residents is the decision by the government to retain land ownership in the area.

This, said the chairman of Shungwaya Welfare Association, Mr Mohamed Bwana made it easy for land sharks to collude with unscrupulous government officials to acquire land and title deeds.

“It is interesting and sad to note that though locals do not have title deeds because the land is classified as government owned, tycoons have acquired deeds and are threatening to evict residents who have been there for years.

Already barred

“Only the council can save the situation by refusing these people permission to develop the plots,” he said.

The chairman of the town planning committee, Mr Ali Bunu, said the council has barred any development on land near the water catchment area in Shella and will do the same with all the other parcels of land on the island.

And as speculators scramble for land in Lamu, a new phenomenon has emerged. Informal settlements are mushrooming on the town’s outskirts where low-income earners and some of those who sold their property have set up homes.