Landowners bordering Wajir Airport have accused government officials of sidelining them in discussions over a proposed airport expansion, raising fears of unlawful land acquisition and possible violations of constitutional property rights.
In a strongly worded statement issued on behalf of affected residents, Jamal and Company Advocates said officials from the Wajir County Government convened meetings in late April 2026 to discuss plans for the acquisition of private land for the expansion of the airport by the Kenya Airports Authority.
The law firm, acting for landowners Ally Abdi Tifow, Abdi Farah Jire, Abdi Musa Mohammud, Ahmed Muhumed Elmi and Habiba Issak Yussuf, claimed the meetings were conducted without the participation or knowledge of the legal and beneficial owners of the affected parcels.
According to the advocates, no formal notices, agendas, minutes or resolutions from the meetings have been shared with the landowners.
“This is not how a constitutional democracy operates,” the firm said in a formal demand letter addressed to several government offices.
“The exercise of administrative power must be transparent, accountable, and strictly within the limits established by the Constitution and statutes.”
The dispute traces back to 2014 when the Kenya Airports Authority initiated plans to acquire approximately 801.77 hectares of land for expansion of the airport.
The parties later agreed to pursue an out-of-court settlement, with a government valuation reportedly undertaken to facilitate compensation discussions at a later stage.
However, the advocates now argue that instead of engaging directly with the landowners, officials held closed-door meetings with selected individuals while excluding those whose properties stand to be affected.
On May 4, 2026, the law firm issued formal demands to the Cabinet Secretary for Roads and Transport, the Managing Director of the Kenya Airports Authority, the Chairperson of the National Land Commission, the Governor of Wajir County, and senior officials in the Interior and Defence ministries, with a copy sent to the Office of the President.
The advocates demanded disclosure of minutes and attendance lists for the April meetings, clarification on the current valuation and acquisition process, assurances that no fencing or construction would commence before compensation, and an explanation for the exclusion of landowners from the talks.
They said no responses had been received by Thursday.
The firm warned that legal action would follow should any construction or fencing begin without compensation and due process.
Among the measures being considered are applications before the Environment and Land Court seeking injunctions against the Kenya Airports Authority and the county government, contempt proceedings for alleged violations of existing court orders, and judicial review proceedings to challenge decisions arising from the meetings.
The advocates also cited constitutional protections governing compulsory land acquisition, including Article 40(3) of the Constitution, which requires prompt and full compensation before the state can take possession of private property.
They further noted that under Sections 120 to 130 of the Land Act, the National Land Commission is the only body legally mandated to oversee compulsory land acquisition processes, including notice issuance, valuation, negotiations and compensation.
“Our clients have held their titles for decades. They have letters of allotment, survey records, and government confirmation of authenticity,” said Jamal Abdikadir. “They cannot be rendered invisible simply because government officials find it convenient to meet without them. The Constitution protects every Kenyan’s right to property. We intend to enforce that right.”
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