Concern over Lamu port pay-out delay
What you need to know:
- Mr Jelani said they wanted the two offices to come clean on what exactly was holding up the compensation.
- Mrs Ngilu and Dr Swazuri had earlier promised to ensure the residents were compensated by mid-December last year, but nothing has been forthcoming.
- They said what they know is that NLC forwarded 157 names to the Transport ministry for compensation after identification and approval of landowners in the first batch.
- Kililana Farmers Association secretary general Abdalla Jelani said he was not happy with the way the Land Office and NLC were dealing with the matter, adding they seemed to be untruthful about compensation.
More than 100 families whose land was repossessed to accommodate the Lamu port project have asked the Land ministry and the National Land Commission (NLC) to explain when they will receive their compensation.
The angry residents blamed the government for the slow manner in which it was dealing with the Lapsset issue.
They said they were tired of the government’s empty promises and urged Land Secretary Charity Ngilu and NLC chair Muhammad Swazuri to inform them of progress made so far.
Mrs Ngilu and Dr Swazuri had earlier promised to ensure the residents were compensated by mid-December last year, but nothing has been forthcoming.
Several months have elapsed since Dr Swazuri and Mrs Ngilu promised to have the families compensated for their land. This has left many wondering when, and whether, compensation will be forthcoming.
In an interview with Sunday Nation on Lamu Island on Tuesday, the residents said they were not happy since no one had informed them of any progress on the issue.
They said what they know is that NLC forwarded 157 names to the Transport ministry for compensation after identification and approval of landowners in the first batch.
The residents demanded compensation for the 157. The rest, who are yet to be vetted, will be paid later.
“We have waited for compensation for almost four years. We are tired of the promises given without even one being fulfilled. What we urge for is the truth. Let the government tell us when exactly we will be paid,” said resident Kassim Mohamed.
SEEM UNTRUTHFUL
Kililana Farmers Association secretary general Abdalla Jelani said he was not happy with the way the Land Office and NLC were dealing with the matter, adding they seemed to be untruthful about compensation.
Mr Jelani said they wanted the two offices to come clean on what exactly was holding up the compensation.
He insisted their only hope is a petition they submitted to the Malindi High Court.
“The promises given so far are enough. We want justice to prevail for all. The Land ministry and NLC should tell us when we will be compensated. We are making it clear that our case is on. We will not withdraw it until all of us are paid. That’s our only hope,” said Mr Jelani.
Mr Famau Abubakkar, the group’s assistant secretary, said there was no reason the first group of beneficiaries approved by NLC had not been compensated.
He faulted numerous revisions of Lapsset beneficiaries lists, saying this had contributed to the delay.
NLC boss Swazuri insisted the major hindrance to compensation is multiple claimants for the same piece of land at the port site.
Speaking by phone, he said NLC had approved the first batch of beneficiaries — who were to have been compensated early last month.
“We submitted 157 names of beneficiaries in the first batch to the Transport ministry in December. The process is still on but the major problem we have is multiple claimants. What I am urging for is patience since we are likely to compensate all of them soon,” he said.
