Former Migori governor Okoth Obado has strongly defended his interest in leasing a vast parcel of land in Nyatike, dismissing claims by critics that the move amounts to land grabbing and urging leaders to prioritize economic empowerment over political theatrics.

Speaking amid growing controversy surrounding the proposed lease of the gold-rich land, Obado accused sections of the political class of spreading misinformation and fueling unnecessary tension over what he described as a legitimate investment initiative meant to unlock the region’s economic potential.

The former governor maintained that the approximately 5,000-acre land parcel—enclosed by two rivers—has long remained idle despite its vast economic potential.

According to Obado, parts of the land have been encroached upon by squatters who have constructed permanent homes over the years, even though the area remains public land.

“People have been living around that land since time immemorial. Some of my own relatives live adjacent to it, and one was even removed when the land was gazetted as government land,” he said.

He noted that sections of the property have been wrongly categorized as forest land by the Forest Department despite historical records indicating otherwise.

Obado clarified that the land had previously been leased for grazing by the now-defunct Homa Bay County Council and argued that leasing such parcels for economic activities is permissible under the law, provided due process is followed through the National Land Commission.

“The constitution allows such development initiatives, and the National Land Commission has clear conditions guiding the leasing of public land,” he explained.

Past Attempts at Development

The former county boss revealed that similar investment proposals had been made in the past during his tenure as governor.

He cited an application by Al-Nakel Company, which sought to lease land for development purposes.

“At the time, I approved about 1,000 acres for development. The intention was to utilize the land for meaningful economic activities such as gold processing and cotton farming,” he said.

Obado added that Nyatike remains the only area within Migori County suitable for large-scale cotton farming due to its arable land.

He further disclosed that another investor had been allocated 1,000 acres to cultivate sisal as part of efforts to create employment opportunities for the youth.

“It made economic sense and would have given the county a significant economic facelift,” he said.

Critics Raise Alarm

The proposal has however drawn sharp criticism from leaders including Nyatike MP Tom Odege and Migori Woman Representative Fatuma Mohammed, who have raised concerns over what they claim could be an attempt by individuals linked to Obado’s family to grab the gold-rich land.

The leaders have demanded transparency over the leasing process and called for public participation before any decisions are made regarding the land.

But Obado dismissed the allegations as politically motivated.

“We are not grabbing anybody’s land. Leasing is allowed by law. Even recently the government leased Sony Sugar plantations covering about 6,000 acres, yet no leader raised concerns,” he argued.

“Jealousy and Ignorance”

The former governor accused some politicians of exploiting the issue to gain political mileage.

“All we are witnessing is sheer ignorance and jealousy from the political class,” Obado said.

He further claimed that some leaders were deliberately misleading residents to cover up their own poor performance.

“Our leaders who have performed dismally and fear rebuttal are now using the land issue for political mileage,” he said.

Obado insisted that his interest in the land stems from a long-standing commitment to developing the local mining sector and empowering residents economically.

Call to Support Local Investors

Obado lamented what he termed a persistent bias against local investors, saying Kenyans often embrace foreign investors more readily than their own.

“There are people who still believe that an investor must be a foreigner. Failure to acknowledge our local investment is a terrible disease,” he said.

He pointed to ongoing local mining activities in Nyatike where, he noted, most miners are Kenyan professionals who have developed significant expertise in the sector.

“In my mining sites, all the miners are locals. They are educated and doing better than foreigners,” he said.

He challenged critics to invest in the sector themselves instead of opposing development initiatives.

“The mineral reserves cannot be fully exploited by one person. Let them apply, develop their shafts, produce gold and sell instead of giving excuses,” he said.

Consultancy Firm Clarification

Obado also defended Global Search Solutions, a consultancy firm associated with the project, noting that it has been operational long before the current gold exploration activities.

“Global Search Solutions has been in consultancy services for years. It is not a recently registered firm, and there is no reason to politicize the matter,” he said.

Appeal for Unity

As the debate continues, Obado urged leaders to focus on initiatives that uplift communities rather than engage in political sideshows.

“This is the right time for Kenya to exploit its natural resources. Our political leaders should support such efforts so that our people can benefit economically,” he said.

He maintained that if granted the opportunity to lease the land, the project would prioritize community empowerment, job creation, and responsible resource exploitation.

“Our aim is simple, economic empowerment for our people,” Obado concluded.