Kajulu residents have sued the National Land Commission and Privatization Commission over 4, 600 acres of land it allegedly lost to three factories in the Nyando Sugar belt.
The residents claimed that the parcels hosting Kibos, Miwani and Chemelil Sugar Factories nuclear farms were granted to the Asian farmers after the completion of the railway line in Kisumu in 1901 on a 99 years lease agreement signed by area leaders.
Through Kajulu Kathimo Welfare Association, the residents now want the government to give fresh leases to the descendants of the ancestral owners since the original leases had expired in the year 2000.
Led by John Omollo, the over 5, 600 members of the association claims the initial residents of the areas were moved by the colonial government between 1901 and 1906 without compensation.
“We are here to get back what belonged to us after a long historical land injustice,” said John Omollo, Chairmain Kajulu Kathimo Welfare Association.
Through their lawyer Ken Amondi, the members tabled their grievances as they termed the process of issuing of new leases to be illegal and should be stopped until the ancestral owners have been fully compensated.
“We have served the National Land Commission and Privatisation Commission with court orders as we await the hearing,” said the advocate in a press conference after they submitted court papers.
The case Kisumu ELC 1/2022 was filed at the Kisumu Law Courts on January, 17 and is set for hearing on March 2, at Kisumu Land and Environment Court.
The association further said that any intention of privatization of Chemelil and Miwani Sugar Companies which occupy a bigger potion of the land must factor in the community interest.
