The management of Malaba Municipality in Busia has ordered residents occupying public land and those who have encroached on road reserves to leave before 21 days’ notice.
The notice, which was issued on June 24, 2024, by Malaba Municipality Manager Francis Asoyong, has a week time to expire before KeNHA and the municipality enact forceful eviction.
According to Asoyong, the vacation of the land at the centre of evictions, according to the notice dated June 24, 2024, is aimed at facilitating the implementation of the municipality’s reorganisation agenda.
“Following the successful conclusion of public participation in the reorganisation of Malaba town that brought together all affected people in Customs, Main Stage, and Kocholya areas, where it was unanimously agreed that you all vacate road reserves and public land to allow the implementation of the reorganisation agenda in line with our development partners, notice is hereby given by copy of this official communication,” he said.
“That you vacate the said areas within 21 days from June 24, 2024, failure to which the Municipality shall without further notice demolish all structures on the said areas at owners’ expense.” He added.
The notice is copied to Busia Chief Executive for Lands, Housing, and Urban Development Peter Odima, the Chief Officer in Charge of Urban Development and Physical Planning Kennedy Mbaja, Teso North Subcounty Police Commander Joseph Matiku, and Malaba OCS George Ouka.
The move comes at a time when residents have been complaining of poor drainage and heavy traffic witnessed as a result of land encroachment.
Traders led by Moses Ouma are now appealing to KeNHA and the municipality to create an alternative place for operation before eviction, noting that some purchased the land from brokers who have fake title deeds.
“We know there are plans to expand the Malaba-Bungoma Highway and to reorganise the border town. We are ready to vacate once the dualisation process of the busy road starts,” Ouma noted.
Yunus Shaban, who has been operating his business for the past 12 years at the Malaba roadblock stage, feels the move will affect them as they are trying to recover from COVID-19 effects that cripple most of their business.
“With the current economy and post-COVID effects, most businesses are yet to fully recover; that is why we are appealing for more time,’’ he said.
By Absalom Namwalo
