Kogony community demands compensation for 880 acres occupied by Kisumu airport
By People Daily Digital Reporter, June 24, 2026Residents of Kogony in Kisumu County have intensified their long-standing demand for compensation over 880 acres of ancestral land occupied by Kisumu International Airport.
The community is also seeking employment opportunities for local youth and enhanced corporate social responsibility (CSR) programmes from airport authorities.
On Wednesday, June 24, 2026, a delegation of community leaders and elders led by Kogony Community Chairperson Paul Akeyo met Kisumu International Airport management in a session described as cordial but firm. The meeting focused on resolving grievances that the community says have persisted for more than two decades since the airport’s expansion.
Land compensation
Akeyo outlined three key demands from the community, including compensation for the 880-acre parcel of land, employment opportunities for local residents, and strengthened development partnerships with the airport.
“We have raised the issue of employment of our people since this airport is rightly located within us as Kogony people. We have also raised the issue of CSR which we believe the Kenya Airports Authority should offer to our community,” he said.
The community maintains that the land was acquired for airport development without adequate resolution for the original landowners. They are demanding either alternative land or monetary compensation equivalent to the current market value.
“The Kogony community is to be compensated with either land or monetary value equivalent to the land that was taken from us,” Akeyo stated. He added that long-term engagements with the Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) and other government agencies may finally yield progress following ongoing policy reviews.
CSR and youth employment
Beyond land compensation, the delegation called for a structured employment framework that would allow a percentage of job opportunities at the airport to be allocated to local youth. Leaders said the airport remains a key economic hub in the region and should directly benefit surrounding communities.
They also proposed expanded CSR initiatives targeting education support, infrastructure development, health services, and other community-driven projects. According to the leaders, such programmes would strengthen relations between the airport and host community.
Kisumu International Airport Managing Director Felix Wanga commended the community for maintaining a peaceful and constructive engagement process. He confirmed that all concerns raised had been documented for onward transmission to the Kenya Airports Authority leadership.
“We have itemised the issues presented and will submit them to the CEO and Managing Director of Kenya Airports Authority for guidance,” Wanga said.
Stakeholder review
Wanga further disclosed that KAA has constituted a committee to review the Kogony land matter. The committee is expected to engage key stakeholders, including the National Land Commission and the county government, as part of the review process.
The authority is expected to provide comprehensive feedback to the community within two weeks following consultations. The discussions are part of ongoing efforts to address historical land concerns linked to public infrastructure development.
The engagement marks a continued effort to resolve a dispute that has persisted for over 20 years, with both sides expressing cautious optimism over possible progress toward a lasting settlement.