The Yala swamp community took to the streets demanding the immediate halt of operations by an investor currently engaged in sugarcane farming in the wetland.
The demonstrators who marched to the investor’s premises within the swamp and later to the land offices as well as the county commissioner’s office in Siaya town demanded that the government facilitate the return of a former investor.
Carrying twigs and placards, the residents lamented that the current investor, Lake Agro Limited has added no economic value to them and the region as it transports all the raw materials for processing outside the county and does not employ locals.
Led by Benard Mgele alias Shtua bin Shtua, the residents alleged that the current investor fraudulently acquired a lease for the Yala swamp in 2022.
“The lease was fraudulently given because it did not follow the current channel. It was given without any legislation in the Siaya county assembly,” said Mgele.
Mgele said the community has issued a memorandum to the offices of the County Commissioner and the Lands registrar giving them 14 days to have the lease revoked.
A resident, Christine Oluoch said the community wants a former investor, Calvin Burgess of Dominion Farms limited back.
She called on Siaya leaders to join forces and ensure that the American investor, who recently toured the area, is allowed back because during his tenure, he offered employment to the locals and engaged in a lot of community service that benefitted them.
The residents, among them George Ondif Onyango, Juliet Onyango, Philip Orwa Onyango and William Lukoye lamented that they have lost a lot since the departure of Dominion Farms, with local economy and infrastructure suffering a lot.
By Philip Onyango
