This archive report was first published on 27 August 2021.
On Pate Island in Lamu East, Bajuni elders have rejected the ongoing survey and demarcation of the 1,700-acre Mngini ancestral land, acquired by the Lapsset corridor project about six years ago.
According to Nation.Africa, the Lapsset Corridor Development Authority (LCDA) returned a section of the land to the community this month and sent surveyors to demarcate the land with the intention of issuing an independent title deed for the Mngini community land and resettle people on it.
However, elders appealed to county and national government officials to stop the survey and demarcation in Mngini, claiming the process lacks transparency.
Speaking to Nation.Africa on Thursday, Jamal Swaleh, the Mngini community chair, questioned why most of the genuine members had not been involved in the resettlement process.
"I am the chairperson of the Mngini Community land. Surprisingly, no one has approached me to consult on what should be done with that land now that LCDA has given it back to the community. We are only told the survey and demarcation are going on," he said.
Another Mngini Community board member, Kassim Omar, accused some local leaders in Lamu of corruption, claiming that such leaders are behind the landlessness and large population of squatters in the region.
"We are not consulted or involved. They either stop the survey or we fight it out in court. We feel the exercise is corrupt and shrouded in secrecy, a clear indication that it isn't genuine," he said.
Lamu County Lands executive Ahmed Hemed confirmed he had received complaints from the elders, adding that with LCDA they will ensure the matter is resolved.
"Lapsset ceded the land in question to Mngini Community and a team has been sent here for the same. Today, we held a fruitful discussion with Lapsset. We raised the concerns. Processes are on to have the issue addressed to its conclusion," he said.
