This archive report was first published on 12 June 2020.
June 12, 2020
Members of the Luo community in Kenya have been advised to prioritize consolidated land for agriculture, rather than subdividing it for individual homesteads, which has led to poverty and landlessness.
West Asembo Ward MCA Ambrose Akuno made the call, citing the community's prioritization of constructing homesteads over farming as a major contributor to poverty.
Akuno suggested that instead of subdividing land for each family member to set up a homestead, the community should consider consolidating land so that families can settle in one part of their land, while the remaining portion is used for agricultural production.
He noted that the need to fulfill the cultural practice of constructing individual homesteads has left many families landless, while others are forced to use their meager resources to buy land elsewhere, making them even poorer.
“How can someone with very little resources, educate his children, feed his family and at the same time buy land elsewhere and put up a home? In our villages, if someone manages to buy land then they may not have resources to educate their children,” Akuno said.
The ward representative also called on the county government to consider allocating funds to MCAs to construct houses for vulnerable families.
He cited the example of Rarieda Sub County, where area MP Dr. Otiende Amolo runs an initiative known as “Ondoa Nyasi” to construct houses for widows and destitute families.
Former area MP Eng. Nicholas Gumbo has also supported the initiative by constructing houses for poor families who cannot afford decent housing.
Under the current constitution, housing is a basic human right, but the devolved function has remained dormant in Siaya County with only one staff appointed to run the entire department since 2013.
