Residents of Mkokuani, Diani protested the expansion of Diani Airport, citing that they were yet to be compensated for the land.
They argued that they have for over a decade held talks with the Kenya Aviation Authority (KAA) regarding compensation with little luck.
"What is shocking is that we have held talks with KAA since 2007. Up to date, we have not reached an agreement," a resident argued.
"KAA is using force to intimidate us into surrendering our land without compensation. We are not against, the expansion of the airstrip, we just want what is rightfully ours," another added.
They argued that they were not against the expansion project, but are seeking rightful compensation before they lose their land.
The new airport is expected to replace the Ukunda Airstrip, the current gateway to the South Coast and the sandy white beaches of Diani.
Elsewhere, Msambweni Member of Parliament Feisal Bader has hit the ground running following his election to office in December 2020.
The legislator led residents of Diani on January 20, 2021, in protesting the acquisition of land in the area by a private investor, which had resulted in the eviction of members of the public.
Bader was accompanied by Kwale Governor Salim Mvurya and Deputy Governor Fatuma Achani. The leaders expressed their displeasure at the incident vowing to block the investor from accessing the land.
The leaders stated that the lease for the 1000-acre land expired in 2013 and the land was to be returned to locals.
They argued that the manner in which the said investor acquired a lease for the land, for another 900 years was illegal.
"You will have the papers and we will have the land, Period. We will not listen to anything. We will go head-on with them. We will not relent. If the land is rightfully ours, it is ours," Bader pronounced.
Governor Mvurya weighed in on the matter, stating that the national government should step in and grant justice to the poor families from the region. He argued that the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) would not benefit the region if their land is taken away.
The county boss further stated that the people would not leave the land as it is their home and they had nowhere else to go.
"We are behind the BBI but we want the issue of land in this country to have a permanent solution. If there is no lasting solution BBI cannot help us," Mvurya stated.
"How will there be common ground if one person will have 1000 acres and poor women and men don't have land and home. There is no reason for them to leave because this is their home," he added.
Deputy Governor Achani stated there was no logic behind a single individual leasing land for 900 years, yet there was no significant development of the land up until the expiry of the lease in 2013.
It is not possible for one rich person to get a lease for 900 years, we as residents of Kwale say our BBI is the right to our land," Achani stated.
"People know the lease had expired. They tell us the lease has been renewed. We don't know how. The lease is being renewed for 900 years yet the investor has done nothing," she added.
