Lapsset land allocation review expected to end disputes
Lamu Governor Issa Timamy (left) and National Land Commission chairman Muhammad Swazuri after a meeting at the Kenya Ports Authority in Lamu on Monday 23, 2016. The land commission has agreed to review the allocation of Lapsset land to end disputes among stakeholders. PHOTO | KALUME KAZUNGU | NATION MEDIA GROUP
What you need to know:
- 32,500 acres of land to be shared among the shareholders, including KPA, Lamu County and Lapsset Authority.
- Rest of the 70,000 acres is occupied by the ocean.
The National Land Commission has agreed to review for the second time the 70,000 acres of land allocated to the Lamu Port South Sudan Ethiopia Transport (Lapsset) Corridor Development Authority following disputes involving the major stakeholders, including the Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) and Lamu County.
During the meeting, chaired by the NLC chairman Muhammad Swazuri and attended by representatives from the Lamu County, KPA, and the Ministry of Energy, it was agreed that only 32,500 acres would be shared among the concerned stakeholders since it was established the rest of the land is covered by the ocean.
Dr Swazuri also directed KPA to inform the land commission how much land it needed for port related activities.
Lamu County Governor Issa Timamy thanked the land commission for involving the devolved unit in finding resolution over the land dispute.
“The County government is the representative of the people of Lamu. Every investor willing to come and invest in Lamu must ensure they obey the rules and regulations by ensuring the county leadership is fully informed over the same,” said Mr Timamy.
The meeting came at a time when divisions were evident among Lamu leaders over NLC’s decision to allocate 70,000 acres of land at Kililana and Mashunduani areas in Hindi Division to the Lapsset Authority.
