Families displaced by the mega infrastructure project say they have waited for years without receiving compensation, while access to some parcels of land remains restricted due to ongoing construction activities.
The residents argue that development has moved ahead without addressing their long-standing grievances.
Speaking during a public engagement forum in Mokowe, locals expressed frustration over what they described as the marginalisation of communities whose land and livelihoods have been directly affected by the project.
“We want our issues resolved before more components of the LAPSSET project are rolled out. Decisions are being made without properly involving the people who live here,” one resident said.
Residents recalled commitments made by the LAPSSET Corridor Development Authority in 2020, when officials promised that compensation to affected landowners would be completed within three months.
Speaking during a public engagement forum in Mokowe, locals expressed frustration over what they described as the marginalisation of communities whose land and livelihoods have been directly affected by the project.
“We want our issues resolved before more components of the LAPSSET project are rolled out. Decisions are being made without properly involving the people who live here,” one resident said.
Residents recalled commitments made by the LAPSSET Corridor Development Authority in 2020, when officials promised that compensation to affected landowners would be completed within three months.
According to locals, the pledge was never honoured.
“They promised to pay us for our land, but up to now nothing has happened,” said Famao Idd Famao, noting that the prolonged delays have left many families struggling financially and uncertain about their future.
Beyond compensation, community members also demanded firm assurances that employment opportunities arising from the project would prioritise local residents, particularly the youth.
“When the LAPSSET project is completed, our children should be given priority in employment across all its components,” said Mama Amina, a resident of the area.
Women leaders attending the forum also called for inclusive hiring practices, urging contractors and authorities to move beyond offering women only casual or low-paying jobs.
“There must be gender parity in employment within the LAPSSET project. Women should be given meaningful roles that match their skills and qualifications,” one local leader stated.
As construction progresses, residents insisted that development must be balanced with fairness and accountability to ensure local communities benefit from the project rather than being left behind.
The LAPSSET Corridor Programme is a flagship regional infrastructure initiative designed to address economic and logistical challenges in Eastern Africa.
“They promised to pay us for our land, but up to now nothing has happened,” said Famao Idd Famao, noting that the prolonged delays have left many families struggling financially and uncertain about their future.
Beyond compensation, community members also demanded firm assurances that employment opportunities arising from the project would prioritise local residents, particularly the youth.
“When the LAPSSET project is completed, our children should be given priority in employment across all its components,” said Mama Amina, a resident of the area.
Women leaders attending the forum also called for inclusive hiring practices, urging contractors and authorities to move beyond offering women only casual or low-paying jobs.
“There must be gender parity in employment within the LAPSSET project. Women should be given meaningful roles that match their skills and qualifications,” one local leader stated.
As construction progresses, residents insisted that development must be balanced with fairness and accountability to ensure local communities benefit from the project rather than being left behind.
The LAPSSET Corridor Programme is a flagship regional infrastructure initiative designed to address economic and logistical challenges in Eastern Africa.
It aims to reduce over-reliance on the Northern Corridor by opening up underdeveloped regions, particularly in northern Kenya, while providing shorter trade routes for landlocked countries such as Ethiopia and South Sudan.
The project includes ports, highways, railways, oil pipelines, energy infrastructure, and new urban developments.
The project includes ports, highways, railways, oil pipelines, energy infrastructure, and new urban developments.
It is expected to create more than one million jobs and significantly boost regional trade and economic integration.
LAPSSET is also a key pillar of Kenya’s development agenda under President William Ruto’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda, which prioritises inclusive growth and regional connectivity.
However, residents of Lamu have maintained that the success of the project will ultimately depend on how well it addresses community concerns on land rights, employment, and equitable development.
LAPSSET is also a key pillar of Kenya’s development agenda under President William Ruto’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda, which prioritises inclusive growth and regional connectivity.
However, residents of Lamu have maintained that the success of the project will ultimately depend on how well it addresses community concerns on land rights, employment, and equitable development.