The Chandavai land dispute involves areas residents say their families have occupied and used for generations.
Chandavai residents seek to halt works on disputed land, alleging destruction of property and a risk of displacement without compensation or resettlement.
A group of 133 residents from Chandavai, Lamu County, has moved to court over disputed land linked to major infrastructure projects.
The residents want the court to stop construction and excavation on land they say their families have occupied for generations.
They have sued several government agencies, Dangote Industries and two contractors. The residents allege that ongoing works have destroyed property and threaten further displacement.
However, their claims remain before the court and have not been determined.
Residents Claim Ancestral Land
In their court papers, the residents say they occupy parts of LR No. 13061 in Chandavai.
They claim their families have farmed, kept livestock and built homes on the land for generations.
Additionally, they say the area contains mosques, shrines, community structures and family graves. They argue that money alone cannot adequately replace these sites.
The residents allege that government and LAPSSET-linked officials entered the land with heavy machinery on August 7, 2024.
They claim the machinery destroyed crops, trees and other property without prior notice, consultation or compensation.
According to their court papers, local administrators later told them the government had acquired the land for LAPSSET.
They further claim that some sections were allocated to the Ministry of Defence.
Military and Refinery Projects Disputed
The residents link the disputed works to roads and expanded facilities around Kenya Navy Base Manda Bay, US Camp Simba and Magogoni Airfield.
They allege that some families received warnings against obstructing the works. They also claim officials promised compensation for damaged crops and other losses.
Meanwhile, some families allegedly left their homes and rented accommodation elsewhere.
The case also touches on the proposed Dangote refinery in Lamu. Residents claim soil testing and other preparatory activities began in July 2026.
They further allege that administrators told them the refinery would proceed alongside LAPSSET and Manda Bay projects.
The proposed refinery is currently scheduled for groundbreaking on September 30, 2026.
Residents Challenge Compensation Process
The residents say they learnt around September 20 that compulsory acquisition proceedings had begun.
They fear compensation could go to absentee titleholders while excluding families who have historically occupied and used the land.
The plaintiffs argue that lack of formal title does not automatically erase their claimed interests in the land.
They accuse authorities of failing to identify all affected people, issue required notices and conduct proper surveys and valuations.
They also allege that authorities failed to hold inquiries and compensate affected residents before taking possession.
Furthermore, they claim officials did not provide adequate consultation or meaningful public participation.
Rights and Environmental Concerns
The residents argue that the alleged actions violated their constitutional rights to property, fair administrative action and access to information.
They also question whether the projects have complied with environmental assessment requirements.
The plaintiffs want the court to recognise the interests of historical occupants and stop further works on the disputed land.
They are also seeking protection for homes, crops, graves and other community property.
The case places land acquisition and community participation at the centre of the wider development debate in Lamu. Recent reporting shows residents have also raised concerns about compensation, public participation and environmental safeguards as the Dangote refinery project approaches its planned groundbreaking.
