By Azizah Abdullahi | Wajir Today | Sunday, May 10, 2026
A section of residents in Wajir County have accused Governor Ahmed Abdullahi and Wajir East MP Aden Daud of backing a controversial land acquisition process linked to the planned expansion of Wajir International Airport, as tensions continue to rise over anticipated forced evictions.
Speaking during a press briefing on Saturday, residents led by Wagberi MCA Aden Bulle called on President William Ruto to intervene and halt what they described as illegal land grabbing by the Kenya Airports Authority (KAA).
The residents accused local leaders of using their political influence to facilitate the takeover of land occupied by families for decades without adequate consultation, compensation, or adherence to legal procedures.
“The Kenya Airports Authority is grabbing land belonging to local residents,” Aden Bulle told journalists. “We are calling upon KAA and those coordinating this process, including the governor and the area MP, to stop the infringement of the rights of residents.”
They claim the exercise has involved intimidation, coercion, and threats of eviction despite ongoing court cases challenging the acquisition process.
The disputed land includes sections of Bardhere Road, a strategic transport corridor linking Wajir with neighbouring Somalia. Residents argue that the planned expansion could disrupt movement along the road, which serves traders and transporters between the two countries.
“Plots owned by residents for between two and thirty years are being taken by force,” Bulle said. “We are not opposed to development, but there must be negotiations and respect for people’s property rights. It is unreasonable to also interfere with an international road without proper engagement.”
Residents further accused KAA of failing to conduct meaningful public participation before initiating the process, saying the move violates constitutional safeguards governing land acquisition.
Some affected families have already moved to court seeking legal protection against eviction. The residents urged authorities to respect existing court orders and suspend any planned displacement until the matter is resolved.
“Some of the residents have gone to court. The government should respect the court process and stop grabbing the land,” Bulle added. “We are appealing to the governor and the area MP to initiate negotiations that include fair compensation for affected families.”
One of the affected residents, Abdi Farah, said locals were not against the government’s plan to expand the airport, but opposed what he termed a lack of transparency and consultation.
“We support development and the expansion of the airport, but we want negotiations over our land,” Farah said. “There was no public participation. They simply want to use force to take our land. Let them negotiate with the rightful owners.”
Neither Governor Ahmed Abdullahi, MP Aden Daud, nor the Kenya Airports Authority had responded to the allegations by the time of publication.
