Leaders demand pay for port land

What you need to know:

  • Mr Mugo said leaders were tired of being blamed by locals and that Mrs Ngilu and Dr Swazuri should be more committed to the Lapsset payment issue.
  • Mr Ndegwa said the government should ensure all families are paid with immediate effect.
  • “We are no longer taking excuses. Our people should be paid. If that won’t happen by January 31, we will distance ourselves from any matter concerning the project,” said Mr Ndegwa.

Lamu leaders have issued an ultimatum to the government to pay residents whose land was taken for the port project.

The leaders said they would withdraw their support for the National Land Commission and the Land ministry if compensation will not be done by the end of this month.

Deputy Governor Eric Mugo, MPs Julius Ndegwa (Lamu West), Ali Athman Sharif (Lamu East ) and Woman Representative Shakila Abdalla, said they would withdraw their support for the project if locals will not be compensated by tomorrow.

Mr Mugo expressed dissatisfaction with the manner in which the government is dealing with the payment, saying the pace was too slow.

He accused Land Cabinet Secretary Charity Ngilu and NLC boss Muhammad Swazuri of failing to honour the promises given to the families affected by the Lamu Port South Sudan Ethiopia Transport project.

BLAMED BY LOCALS

Mr Mugo said leaders were tired of being blamed by locals and that Mrs Ngilu and Dr Swazuri should be more committed to the Lapsset payment issue.

“Our people are now accusing us, thinking we have something to hide. Ms Ngilu and Dr Swazuri should solve this. We need them to pay our people before the end of this month, failure to which we will dissociate ourselves from all manner of talks concerning Lapsset,” said Mr Mugo.

Mr Ndegwa said the government should ensure all families are paid with immediate effect.

He said farmers in Killana and Mashunduani have waited for over three years and they should be considered.

“We are no longer taking excuses. Our people should be paid. If that won’t happen by January 31, we will distance ourselves from any matter concerning the project,” said Mr Ndegwa.

In support, Mr Sharif asked Mrs Ngilu and Dr Swazuri to come out and clearly explain when the farmers will receive their money.

Echoing his sentiments, Ms Abdalla said Lamu residents should be given the first priority since they had waited longer.

She said it was unfair for people whose land was recently acquired for the Standard Gauge Railway to be paid while the island families continue to be taken round in circles.