More than 130 Chandavai residents in Lamu have secured temporary relief after a court ordered that the status quo be maintained on a disputed parcel of land linked to the LAPSSET corridor and proposed industrial developments.
Justice Jane Onyango directed that the prevailing status quo on LR No. 13061 in the Hindi/Manda Magogoni area be maintained until October 14, 2026, when the residents' application will be heard inter partes.
The court declined to certify the application as urgent but directed the respondents to be served and granted them 14 days to file their responses.
Court ruling on land dispute
The case has been filed by 133 Chandavai residents who claim that their families have occupied, cultivated and developed portions of the disputed land for generations.
The residents say they have used the land for farming and livestock keeping and have established homes, mosques and shrines, with some families also having burial sites on the property.
Although they acknowledge that they do not hold formal title deeds, the residents argue that their longstanding occupation, customary or community tenure and beneficial use give them interests in the land that should be protected.
The dispute dates back to August 7, 2024, when the residents allege that heavy machinery and bulldozers entered the area, destroying crops, trees and other property.
According to the residents, they were later informed that the land had previously been acquired for the LAPSSET project before being allocated to the Ministry of Defence for infrastructure developments around Manda Bay.
They say the developments included roads and expansion of facilities around the Kenya Navy Base, US Camp Simba and Magogoni Airfield.
The residents further allege that some families were asked to vacate their homes and were promised compensation for crops and other losses.
Background of the land conflict
The latest dispute emerged after what the residents describe as preparatory activities linked to a proposed Dangote refinery.
They claim soil testing began in July 2026 and that on September 10, police officers, chiefs and other government officials cleared part of the disputed land, telling residents it would be used for a groundbreaking ceremony.
The residents have sued several government agencies and officials, including the Office of the President, Ministry of Defence, State Department for Lands and Physical Planning, Attorney General, National Land Commission, LAPSSET Corridor Development Authority and Lamu County Government, as well as Dangote Industries and two companies described as contractors.
They are asking the court to protect their interests and have raised concerns over the compulsory acquisition process, compensation, alleged destruction of property and environmental requirements.
Residents' legal concerns
The residents argue that the absence of title deeds does not automatically extinguish interests in land that may qualify for legal protection or compensation.
The case will be mentioned for inter partes hearing on October 14, 2026.
