Residents of Yala Swamp in Siaya county have given the county government 14 days to address their grievances over a longstanding land dispute, while appealing to President William Ruto to intervene.
The residents accuse investors of denying them access to what they describe as their ancestral land.
They say the dispute has disrupted their livelihoods, restricted access to essential services and limited employment opportunities for young people.
Speaking during a community consultative meeting at Musunguru in Kadenge, the residents called for a resolution that safeguards their interests and those of future generations.
Claus Omondi Okoth, a resident, said community members with technical skills, including mechanics, electrical work and driving, had previously benefited from employment opportunities in the area.
He said those opportunities had changed following what residents described as the takeover of the disputed land by investors.
Okoth urged Ruto to intervene, saying the community had endured years of uncertainty over the future of the land.
Angeline Adongo Ochieng also appealed to the President to address the residents’ grievances and protect the interests of future generations.
Bernard Ogeya Mungele, also known as Shtua bin Shtua, who chairs the Siaya, Kadenge, Seje and Yimbo Community Members and Farmers of Yala Swamp (SIKASEYI), accused the county government of failing to address the community’s concerns.
Mungele said residents had written several letters to the governor’s office, including one dated October 14, seeking the release of a land inventory reportedly required under a national government process initiated when land commissioners assumed office in January.
He gave the county government 14 days to respond, warning that residents would pursue legal action if their concerns remained unaddressed.
Mungele also alleged that residents faced restrictions on transport routes connecting them to schools, hospitals and universities. He raised further concerns over the impounding of community livestock.
Eunice Ombaka said the dispute had placed families under financial strain, making it increasingly difficult to sustain their livelihoods and pay school fees amid disruptions to transport and economic activities.
The residents maintain that the swamp was gazetted in 1970 as community land for people living within its catchment area. They said they would continue pursuing community and legal avenues to secure a resolution.
The claims concerning land ownership, access restrictions and the alleged failure by authorities to address the grievances had not been independently verified.
INSTANT ANALYSIS
The Yala Swamp dispute highlights the human cost of unresolved land disputes, with residents linking restricted access to livelihoods, education, healthcare and employment. Their 14-day ultimatum to the Siaya County Government signals growing frustration over what they describe as years of unanswered grievances.
The appeal to President Ruto raises questions about coordination between national and county authorities. A lasting resolution will require transparent land records, due process and meaningful engagement with affected communities.
