According to reports, Lamu Woman Representative Muthoni Marubu has called for an immediate halt to fencing activities at Amu Ranch, raising concerns over community land rights, residents' livelihoods and the safety of families living in the surrounding areas.
The legislator made her position known in an open letter dated Wednesday, November 11, addressed to the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust. She urged the conservation organisation to suspend the ongoing work until concerns surrounding land ownership, community interests and the legality of the arrangements are properly addressed.
Marubu explained that approximately 5,000 families depend on Amu Ranch for agricultural activities and livestock grazing. She noted that generations of residents have relied on the land as an important source of livelihood and should not be excluded from decisions affecting its future.
According to the Woman Representative, the ranch was registered as a community ranch because of its significance to the surrounding population. She argued that any activities affecting the property must take into consideration the rights and interests of the people who have historically depended on it.
She also questioned the legality of the conservation lease arrangements, insisting that the relevant government approvals and the interests of local residents must be established before the fencing exercise continues.
Beyond land ownership, Marubu expressed concern about the security implications of the proposed activities. She warned that changes to access and land use could have serious consequences for families living around the ranch.
Another important issue raised in her letter was the proposed Lamu International Airport, which forms part of the approved Lamu Port-South Sudan-Ethiopia Transport (LAPSSET) Corridor master plan.
She called for clarification on how the conservation arrangements and fencing plans would affect the proposed infrastructure project, stressing the need for proper coordination between the different stakeholders.
Marubu also demanded the public disclosure of the lease agreement and all government approvals authorising the conservation activities.
The legislator maintained that wildlife protection and environmental conservation should not come at the expense of communities whose livelihoods depend on the land.
Her intervention has brought renewed attention to the ongoing debate over land rights, conservation activities and community interests in Lamu County, with questions remaining about how the competing interests will be resolved.
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