Politician Blocks Bungoma Affordable Housing Project In The Airstrip
A government-led public engagement exercise on the projected Smart City and Affordable Housing project at the Bungoma airfield was halted when a court case was launched against the development.
The exercise did not go ahead as planned because Bungoma gubernatorial candidate Zachariah Baraza filed a legal challenge to the proposal.
This move effectively shuts off the consultation platform intended to gather residents’ feedback.
Following the legal action, Baraza spoke to residents who had gathered at the site, explaining his reasons for rejecting the proposed Smart City and housing development on the 50-acre plot of property.
Baraza suggested that Bungoma County’s goal should be job development rather than large-scale urban initiatives.
Zachariah Barasa slams Governor Lusaka for snubbing public participation on Bungoma airstrip issue, vows to stand with residents as court halts construction. #ZachariahBarasa #BungomaAirstrip #GovernorLusaka #PublicParticipation #JusticeForResidents #KenyaPolitics #LandRights pic.twitter.com/YAoRJGO5BT
— Ahao Evans 🎥 (@AhaoEvans) January 14, 2026
He claimed that citizens needed factories and work opportunities to help them succeed economically.
He questioned the government’s goals for the project, pointing out that big towns like Nairobi and Kisumu have grown organically without the need for government-built Smart towns.
According to Baraza, economic empowerment would naturally motivate citizens to construct their own urban centers rather than relying on state-led programs that they do not completely comprehend.
Residents who attended the interrupted forum had similar views, claiming that they were excluded from the planning process and were compelled to approve developments without sufficient input.
One resident stated that ordinary citizens living near the airstrip had not been adequately involved in discussions about the project, despite it directly affecting their land and livelihoods.
Urban planners describe smart cities as ecosystems built on data, where sensors are used to manage waste collection, water use, and energy consumption more efficiently.
In Bungoma County, someone has grabbed the local airstrip and is now building on the property! pic.twitter.com/EmciPg2hpG
— The Kenyan Vigilante (@KenyanSays) January 14, 2026
Previously, Governor Kenneth Lusaka had justified the move to redevelop the airstrip in the county.
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He insisted that setting up a smart City was not a symbol of land grabbing but the foundation of an ambitious urban dream.
“The Bungoma Airstrip land was duly degazetted by the Kenya Airports Authority,” the governor said.
“It has not been grabbed, and no individual stands to benefit personally from this project.”
According to Lusaka, the smart city plan includes mixed-use developments, affordable housing, green spaces, innovation hubs, and business parks meant to attract investors and young entrepreneurs.
Politician Blocks Bungoma Affordable Housing Project In The Airstrip
