Kisumu residents on Monday protested the delayed opening of the Lake Basin Mall at Kanyakwar, Kisumu West constituency.
The protesters claimed that the delayed opening of the Sh4.2 billion investment is because business tycoons want to buy it from the government.
Samson Odhiambo, a Kisumu Jua Kali Association executive member said residents will resist the mall's proposed sale adding that the business would better run under the government.
"We want employment, the mall should be opened, we are tired of waiting for employment opportunities," he told the media during the Monday protests.
The opening of the Lake Basin Mall has been postponed three times without explanation although management says it will officially be opened on March 16, 2018.
The mall is the biggest in Western Kenya and is expected to generate over Sh230 million in rent every year.
By January, over 30 percent of the space in the investment had been rented out although it's construction works were at the last stage.
Dr Evans Atera, the managing Director of Lake Basin Development Authority who addressed the demonstrators said locals will be given first priority when hiring workers.
He refuted claims the mall is being sold to private individuals at a throw away price.