Traditions delay airport expansion – Kisumu airport for extension but Luo cultural practices stops the project
Posted by africanpress on July 15, 2009
Cultural practices are slowing the expansion of Kisumu Airport, the manager, Mr Joseph Okumu, has said.
Mr Okumu said that although some of the families had been compensated for the land, they were still holding on, arguing that there were ceremonies they needed to perform before moving out.
“There are cultural requirement that the first born moves out of the family before the rest. This has made it impossible for people to move out,” said Mr Okumu.
He added that although the Kenya Airports Authority had compensated the families for the land and the houses, families insisted on clearing the homesteads, arguing that in the Luo culture, a person cannot establish a home while structures of the former home are standing elsewhere.
“The trees and the houses are properties of the airport but the families insist that they cannot leave them standing,” said Mr Okumu.
The latest complaint comes just days after the authority raised the alarm that the compensation of some families was being delayed by unresolved succession issues or properties which have since changed hands without proper documentation.
KAA legal officer John Tito said last week that Sh41 million compensation was yet to be paid out pending the outcome of court proceedings.
But KAA managing director George Muhoho said they were seeking a possibility of depositing the amount equal to the value of the land with the courts so that eventually the person who will be granted the ownership can take the money.
The families have until the end of September to move out of the land.
source,nation.ke
africanpress said
Listening to what concerned Kenyans are saying about the delay by culture:
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Submitted by coldcase
Posted juli 15, 2009 08:26 AM
Why bother expanding Kisumu airport…like any one would go to Kisumu by choice?! They take the money first then cry culture!! Where is their culture when HIV/AIDS is hitting them this hard? I will not be surprised if they later burn the airport to protest at some silly thing happening in nairobi.
Submitted by toboa yote
Posted juli 15, 2009 05:07 AM
At some point the government or KAA has to move in. These stupid rituals and traditions could be dragged on for years. A bulldozer would solve the problem.
Submitted by jaributest
Posted juli 15, 2009 03:55 AM
Just forcefully move them – once they accept your money you don’t need to be bargaining with them. If they don’t want to move they should give you back the money and you should pay somebody else who is willing to move. I bet you that will make them sit up.
Submitted by PMM75
Posted juli 15, 2009 12:48 AM
To hell with their traditions,,,these traditions are the ones making these regions lag behind others,,n they blame the government and unequal distribution of wealth,,,this is retrogressive same as wife inheritance n HIV
Submitted by werssylwer
Posted juli 14, 2009 11:55 PM
Kick them out! Especially those who have already taken the money. What kind of people are this? Dont they see the value of this project? They already burned businesses after elections hence no employment in kisumu, they need to support this as an engine of development. Problem is their MPS are holding press conferences in Nairobi demanding for more cabinet jobs and Raila is always in campaign mode. It is a sorry state of affairs when you think about it.
Submitted by mbuvijmk
Posted juli 14, 2009 11:49 PM
Traditions, Traditions, Traditions!!!!!! Very very strange. Omweri, Wambui-Otieno, Oludhe, and the list goes on. We are tired of these. Create way for development. You have the money in your pockets. GO.
Submitted by shondeK
Posted juli 14, 2009 11:30 PM
Make a date with these people and have a few earth movers ready.The country should not be held hostage by some unrealistic traditional practices
Submitted by miwanyu
Posted juli 14, 2009 09:58 PM
Its high time we talk of schedule and running the projects on a timetable that way we can accommodate local customs and help take the standards of living of the local community to a higher level. The project is to benefit the people of Kisumu and its environs.
Submitted by wuod_aketch
Posted juli 14, 2009 09:35 PM
Why is Muhohhy still around? I thought that this dinosaur was already retired.