Kisumu Governor Anyang’ Nyong’o has vowed to protect Baby Pendo Park from an alleged land grab after an individual claiming ownership reportedly locked its gate and removed the facility’s signboard.
Nyong’o said the county government would not surrender the approximately 3.4-acre public facility, which was transformed from a dumpsite into a recreational park through public investment.
Speaking at the park, the governor said he was alerted to the incident by a young person who reported that an individual had visited the premises at night, padlocked the gate and pulled down the signboard while claiming ownership of the land.
He said he immediately contacted other county officials before visiting the site to establish what had happened.
The governor questioned why the individual had waited until the county completed the development before raising ownership claims, despite the transformation taking place in full view of the public.
“If this was genuinely private property, he should have come forward when we started developing it. Why wait until we have finished the work before claiming that the land belongs to you?” he posed.
Nyong’o said the county had found the land neglected, with heaps of garbage turning it into a dumping site.
The county subsequently cleared the waste, rehabilitated the area and planted trees, transforming it into a recreational space now used by residents.
He said it was unacceptable for anyone to seek to take over a facility developed using public resources without raising objections during the construction process.
“As the county government, we have a responsibility to protect public land and investments in Kisumu. We will not allow anyone to take over what we have developed for the benefit of the public,” he said.
Nyong’o challenged the individual claiming ownership to present supporting documents through the appropriate legal channels, saying the county was ready to have the dispute determined in court.
He, however, condemned the alleged nighttime actions, insisting that any ownership concerns should be addressed through lawful procedures rather than locking gates and interfering with a public facility.
The dispute now puts the ownership of the land hosting Baby Pendo Park at the centre of a confrontation between the county government and the unidentified claimant.
By the time of publication, The Star had not established the identity of the individual or individuals who allegedly locked the park’s gate, removed its signboard and claimed ownership of the property.
