Malindi Airport Evictees Push Back, Demand 2.5 Billion Shillings After 15 Years of Delayed Compensation

There was near drama at the Malindi International airport entrance on Tuesday morning when residents of Kwa Chocha Estate evicted to pave way for its expansion protested delayed compensation of their land by the Kenya Airports Authority.

The residents are demanding Sh. 2.5 billion as compensation after they were evicted and the land fenced and the matter has been before courts of law and the Land Acquisition Tribunal (LAT) that hears appeals from the National Land Commission (NLC).

Led by their chairman Charles Safari, the residents claimed that there was an attempt by some officers at NLC and KAA with fictitious title deeds that were trying to delay the matter and payout the money to individuals who do not own land at the site.

“I have been to Nairobi several times to look for the report of NLC over our land but unfortunately they told me that the report was not ready yet the term of the commissioners who came to the ground has lapsed and I was also shocked when someone at the NLC offices blatantly told me that we will not be paid,” he told NLC officers who were on a fact finding mission in the area.

In 2015, 230 residents were compensated Sh. 423 million for the structures on the land by KAA and were to be paid another Sh. 2.5 billion for the land acquisition after being evicted but the process has reportedly delayed for over 15 years.

Currently the residents said they were running out of patience as the KAA’s continuous delay in compensating them showed there was lack on commitment which has affected their livelihoods as others had died while some had developed chronic ailments for not getting their dues.

“I have been holding them back that we wait for the judgement, for the compensation but no its like they are deciding we move to the airport break that fence we go back to our pieces of land, it’s really discouraging that this project has taken over 15 years,” he said.

The Director Valuation and Taxation at the National Land Commission (NLC) Joel Ombati and the Kilifi County NLC Coordinator Umi Kugula who were caught up in the drama calmed down the residents assuring them that they were on the ground with their team of valuers and surveyors to tour the affected area and make a report.

“We came here today to ascertain the extend of the affected land and together with our survey and valuers, we will go round with you on the property so that we can have some report,” he said.

He also directed the residents through their advocate to write letters indicating that they toured the property together with NLC and KAA officials.

“Your Secretary or chairman should write a letter after we’ve toured the property together and indicate that we as NLC and KAA were with you on site and you expressed your grievances verbally and in writing and send it to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of NLC because we may no be able to do anything until the letter reaches our offices and the letter should be copied to the Director General of KAA,” he said.