The county government of Kisumu has intervened in a planned eviction that was to affect over 100 traders occupying land belonging to the Agricultural Finance Corporation (AFC).
In a notice dated September 13, the state-owned entity had classified the group as encroachers, directing them to leave the one-acre piece of land located within Jua-Kali area, failure to which they would be forcefully evicted.
The corporation said the land registered under Kisumu Municipality Block 6/391 remains under its ownership and that the traders had invaded it without permission.
“You are well aware that Agricultural Finance Corporation is the registered proprietor of Kisumu Municipality Block 6/391 situated in Kisumu County, and accordingly hold the title thereof. This notwithstanding, you have encroached on, trespassed on, invaded, occupied and continued to utilise the said parcel without the permission, the authority and or the consent of the corporation,” the notice read in part.
However, County Communication Director Aloice Ager on Monday said the county has since consulted the corporation, and managed to have the eviction delayed, saying that the evictions would worsen the situation.
He noted that the county is already dealing with a huge number of evictees, some displaced by the ongoing Kisumu Port expansion and others set to be evicted from their illegal stalls within the city center.
He said that the county is in the process of acquiring a 23-acre parcel of land to accommodate the affected traders.
Ager noted that the stalls being built near Kenyatta Sports Ground can only house 500 of the affected 10,000 affected hawkers.
“Our aim was to have a discussion (with AFC) so that the evacuation can be delayed until we acquire the land from Kenya Railways,” he said.