Yala Swamp residents have threatened to sue Siaya Governor James Orengo over his failure to act on petitions regarding a delayed community land inventory.
Gathered outside the Siaya Lands office, members of the Siaya Kadenge Seje Yimbo (SIKASEYI) Yala Swamp community expressed frustration, stating they have visited the governor’s office seven times with petitions that have gone unanswered.
Benard Ogeya Mgele, chairman of SIKASEYI, read the residents’ petition, pointing out that the prolonged silence and lack of progress have severely worried community members and farmers seeking lawful recognition, protection, and registration of their community land.
“Our community has previously submitted seven formal letters to your office concerning this matter. Despite these repeated communications and our continued efforts to engage your office constructively, we have not received satisfactory action or clear communication regarding the status of our request,” Mgele stated.
The residents are demanding a written explanation from the governor regarding the status of their previous letters, the requested inventory documentation, and the reasons for the continued delay. They also want a time-bound action plan for preparing, submitting, and facilitating the Yala swamp community land inventory.
“Please take notice that should your office fail to provide a satisfactory written response within 14 days from the date of receipt of this letter, our community shall consider pursuing further lawful administrative, constitutional and judicial remedies available to it,” the petition warned.
Prior to the address, a heated exchange occurred within the Lands department compound between the County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Lands, Neto Adhola, and SIKASEYI members.
Adhola eventually quieted the skeptical residents by producing a letter from the county attorney, dated October 15, 2026, which advised on how to proceed with the inventory preparation.
Ultimately, both parties agreed to organize a public meeting within the next two weeks, involving relevant departments and stakeholders, to find a lasting solution to the dispute.
