A row has erupted between the Kisumu County government and Jua Kali artisans over a disputed piece of land.
The artisans have accused the county of encroaching into their 8-acre land, which the county says is part of its 23-acre piece of land.
Trouble began yesterday when the county government arrived to hand over the land to a contractor to put up the modern market, which was opposed by the 37, 000 artisans.
Through the Kisumu Center Juakali Artisans Organization, they claim that the land was given to them through a presidential decree, and they have a title deed as proof.
“We have been engaging the county government only to be surprised to see the design and map showing how they have encroached into our eight-acre piece of land said," their Treasurer David Odanga.
On the other hand, the county claims that it was given the land by the Kenya Railways Corporation to settle traders displaced by the expansion of the Kisumu Port.
The county stated that the existing row doesn't involve it, telling the traders to iron out their issues with the corporation.
“As we give the aggrieved traders time to resolve their concerns with Kenya Railways, we will start construction on the undisputed land to ensure that we do not lose more time,” said City Manager Doris Ombara.
She spoke when she led the Kisumu City Board in handing over the land to Uhuru Business Park Complex, the contractor.
She said that the project has the blessings of the national government, which has given Sh350 for the project. She added that the contractor has begun fencing off the land.
The Jua Kali workers said that they are ready to engage with the two government levels, on grounds that their land, which they say they acquired in 1994, is not taken away.