Tension Brews in Kisumu as Locals Protest KSh128 Billion Real Estate Project
Fresh controversy erupts over the Lakeview Marina Project as Korando and Kogony clans claim ancestral rights to the 285-acre former molasses plant land.
A storm is brewing in Kisumu County as members of the Korando and Kogony clans push back against a controversial KSh128 billion real estate project on what they claim is ancestral land.
The Heart of the Dispute
The land in question, 285 acres formerly home to the now-defunct Kisumu Molasses Plant, is at the center of growing tensions. The planned Lakeview (LV) Marina Project – featuring affordable housing, schools, and hospitals – was launched in January by GulfCap Real Estate.
- George Weda, Kisumu Welfare Association
Community Demands
- Full environmental impact assessment
- Meaningful public participation
- Compensation for displaced farmers
- Comprehensive land audit
Local leaders argue the land was acquired in 1976 through the late Dr. Robert Ouko for community benefit. After the molasses project collapsed in the 1980s, they expected its return.
Environmental Concerns
Prof Enos Okolo of the Kisumu Welfare Association questions whether the lakeside development will consider ecological impacts, and if the housing will truly be affordable for locals.
As tensions escalate, all eyes are on whether developers will engage with the community or forge ahead despite mounting opposition.
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