133 Lamu residents sue govt, Dangote over alleged land takeover
They have also named Dangote Industries and two companies identified as contractors as defendants.
At least 133 residents of Chandavai in Lamu County have filed a lawsuit against the government and Dangote Industries, alleging that their land has been unlawfully taken and destroyed for a LAPSSET project. The plaintiffs, who claim to have occupied and cultivated the land for generations, are seeking an injunction to halt further construction and excavation.
They argue that the ongoing works could lead to further destruction of crops, trees, homes and other property, and that certain items, such as ancestral homes, graves and community structures, cannot be adequately replaced through monetary compensation. According to the plaintiffs, government officers and LAPSSET agents entered the disputed land on August 7, 2024, using heavy machinery and bulldozers, destroying crops, trees and other property without prior notice or compensation.
The residents claim that local administrators informed them that the land had been acquired for the LAPSSET project before being allocated to the Ministry of Defence for infrastructure works. The dispute has escalated with preparations for the Dangote refinery, which the plaintiffs allege started in July 2026, and a subsequent clearing of one of the disputed parcels on September 10, 2026, for a groundbreaking ceremony.
The residents claim that the government's compulsory acquisition process for the land in Lamu is flawed, as it excludes residents who have occupied and used the land for generations and does not comply with statutory requirements, despite being informed of the process in September 20, 2026. The plaintiffs accuse authorities of violating constitutional rights, including the right to property, fair administrative action and access to information.
They seek the court's recognition of their historical interests in the land and hold that government agencies cannot take possession, displace occupants or destroy property without complying with the legal requirements for compulsory acquisition.
Written by urgent.news from Capital FM Kenya's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
