They want the payment for the graves to be separate from that of the land in a fair process and in accordance with the law. They also don’t want to be relocated outside Kakamega county.
They say the government should be flexible and give money to those who want cash on proper evaluation of their parcels and give land to those willing.
Most of the 80 families earmarked to be moved don’t want to settle on government land in Senyende adjacent to the Kakamega forest or Shikisa as suggested by leaders.
“We never resisted the expansion of the airstrip runway. We have agreed to move but we want due process to be followed when we are being compensated. We don’t want to be resettled on government land,” Mark Natili, from one of the famines set to be resettled, said.
“We have seen people settled on government land being kicked out during the transition of government,” he said.
Geoffrey Likoti said the process of relocation of families should be done conclusively to avoid creating squatters.
“We want to know where we are to go and we are against being given land outside Kakamega county,” he said.
Julius Livasa said his grandfather was among those who sold part of their land in Murhanda village to the government for the airstrip in 1982.
“As a family, we’re ready to surrender the remaining land but we must be compensated for the two graves because that is what these other families are asking for. In fact, the graves of our forefathers lie where the airstrip is today,” he said.
“It is our duty to protect their final resting place and our ancestral land. There must be a separate payment for graves from the land."
Oscar Musonye, 55, another landowner around the airstrip, said the compensation must include graves.
He said the graves compensation money would be used to perform rituals to appease the spirits of the ancestors and seek their blessings before relocating in line with Isukha clan cultural beliefs.
Pascal Muhanji, 50, wants compensation for graves and trees that were cut down to improve the landing of aircraft.
The Kenya Airport Authority spent Sh174 million on the renovation of the facility that was closed in 2013 to upgrade and extend the runway to accommodate larger aircraft.
The runway was extended from 1.3km to 2.2km and requires between 100 and 200 acres for the planned expansion.
Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale and MPs Fred Ikana (Shinyalu) and Bernard Shinali (Ikolomani) have been sensitising the community living around the facility on the importance of the airstrip expansion to the larger region of Western.
During his tour of Kakamega on December 8 last year, Ruto asked Governor Fernandes Barasa to identify alternative land for relocation of the people around the airstrip.
He said the national government was ready to compensate the affected families and disburse money for the expansion.
Speaking during the launch of regeneration of Kakamega forest in Isecheno on Friday, Barasa said he was aware that the land conversation was an emotive issue that it can cause serious problems if not properly handled.
He said he is working with the national government to ensure development comes to the people.
“I know the land compensation is a big issue, we have a huge land at Shikusa Prison and we are going to have a conversation over the matter since our President has decided to work with all governors to bring development to our people," Barasa said.
"I want to assure my people that I'm actively involved and engaging with our head of state on the issue.”
The governor urged residents and landowners around the airstrip to cooperate with the county and national governments to elevate the airstrip to airport status.
