Daniel Otieno
8 July 2009
Nairobi — The Kenya Airports Authority has given families in Kisumu still residing on its land until the end of September to quit.
KAA Managing Director George Muhoho said the authority had worked out the modalities for compensation for the parcels of land that will be fenced off after the deadline passes.
KAA requires the land for its expansion programme, which includes renovation of the Kisumu Airport runaway and improving the drainage system.
The Airports' body legal officer Mr John Tito said that out of the initial Sh127 million that the land had been valued, Sh86 million has been paid.
He added that the Sh41 million balance was yet to paid out due to land ownership and succession cases, some which were either pending in court, or whose owners had secured bank loans against the titles.
"Some of the families are yet to resolve the succession of the properties, others changed hands without proper documentation, but we are optimistic that the September deadline will still be met," said Mr Tito.
Expansion
The compensation for the local community became an issue when KAA decided to acquire more land for expansion.
Also to be relocated is a primary school, which Mr Muhoho said the modalities had been worked out with the ministry of Education and that the pupils would be moved to a new learning facility by the start of the third school term in September.
Mr Muhoho added that in cases where the parcels of land in question were still in dispute, they would seek to deposit with the courts the equivalent value in cash so that legitimate owners can pick it at a later date to allow the construction work to continue without delay.
Cultural practices
He said that although the KAA had compensated some families, they were yet to move because of the cultural practices which require social ceremonies before migration.
"There are cultural requirements that the first born moves out of the family before the rest. This has made it impossible for people to move at their own pace," said Mr Muhoho.
Mr Muhoho spoke during a facilitation committee meeting to get a progress report.
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