The national government and Nakuru County have moved in to acquire one of the largest corridors leading to Lake Naivasha following a court order that sought its closure.
With over 5,000 families who benefit from the Karagita landing beach set to be affected, the two arms are seeking an alternative of acquiring the land from a private developer in Naivasha.
This came as details emerged that police had been served with a court order seeking that the corridor which has been under dispute between investors and the fishermen for years be closed.
In the past, lives have been lost and property destroyed following moves by the investor to block the corridor that serves hundreds of residents and traders every day.
According to Naivasha sub-county commissioner Jim Njoka, the corridor was crucial to the welfare and livelihoods of hundreds in the area.
Speaking during a meeting at the Karagita beach, he however said that the High Court had issued an order directing the corridor to be closed but noted that they would seek dialogue over the issue.
“The fishermen have sent me to the national and county governments on how this parcel of land that acts as a corridor can be acquired and I will send that message,” he said.
Naivasha OCPD Samuel Waweru confirmed that had received an order directing that he closes down the corridor and kicks out the fishermen.
He however noted that there was need for dialogue as the corridor was critical and offered job opportunities to hundreds of families.
“In the past we have lost lives when locals clashed over the closure of this corridor and we are asking for patience as the government seeks a lasting solution,” he said.
The chairman of the beach Mutiso King’oo warned that the closure of the corridor would spell doom for the nearby estates of Karagita and Mirera.
He said that the lake directly employed 1,000 youths as fishermen, boat operators and traders adding that they did not have any other source of livelihood.
“We are deeply perturbed by the fate of this corridor as its closure would lead to job losses and a rise in criminal activities in the nearby estates and hence the need for a solution,” he said.
Others who addressed the meeting were fishermen and area MCA John Njenga who said that Nakuru Governor Lee Kinyanjui was keen on an end of the protracted dispute.