This archive report was first published on 19 August 2019.
On August 19, 2019, hundreds of descendants of squatters congregated at Kanyakwar, vowing to make a final plea to Governor Anyang' Nyong'o to resolve their land dispute or head to court.
Residents of Kisumo, Kajulu, and Kolwa claim the county government is frustrating their efforts to reclaim the 900-hectare Kanyakwar land they lost over 50 years ago.
The land was originally a community land that had not been adjudicated when the residents were evicted in 1978 following a 1976 Gazette notice to expand Kisumu municipality.
However, in March 2019, the National Land Commission directed that the land be returned to the residents as they were the original owners.
Despite this, the county government has yet to form a task force to oversee the return of the land, leaving the residents vulnerable to further land invasions.
County Director of Information Aloice Ager admitted that the residents had met with the governor over the land dispute but denied knowledge of the impending formation of a task force.
Residents, led by Kikako Welfare Association chairman Mbogo Ayoki, have threatened to return to court if the county government fails to implement the National Land Commission's recommendations.
According to Ayoki, "It is sad that even after the Government gave us back our land, we continue to suffer and people continue to grab our land and develop while others sell."
