[Source: The Standard, by James Omoro]
A planned expansion of Kabunde Airstrip in Homa Bay County has suffered a blow after villagers who gave out their land for the project rescinded their decision.
The villagers demanded back their land which had already been fenced by the Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) for expansion of the airstrip, saying the authority had breached the sale agreement.
In early July last year, 25 residents whose land had been earmarked for expansion of the airstrip handed over their 34 land title deeds to the KAA.
They expected to be paid within 30 days, but the payment was not made. Delay in receiving their pay prompted landowners to change their mind on selling their land. They had been pushing the KAA to surrender their title deeds.
On Monday, the KAA surrendered the titles deeds to the land owners who have been holding demonstrations.
Kabunde Land Owners Association Chairman Joseph Muga and spokesperson Charles Okumu said the residents decided to repossess their title deeds after KAA failed to compensate them at the right time.
Mr Muga said they could not allow the KAA to continue holding their land titles without the recommended pay.
Mr Okumu said repossession of the title deeds will give them an opportunity to use their land on projects of their choice.
The residents told the KAA to demolish fences erected on their land to allow them start using the land for their private businesses.
Part of the land on which the airstrip was constructed is owned by the KAA while the other is owned by the private land owners.
[Full article: The Standard, by James Omoro]
