More than 38,000 jua kali artisans in Kisumu risk displacement after the High Court ruled that the 8.4-acre Nyayo Sheds land they have occupied for decades legally belongs to Kenya Railways Corporation (KRC).
Background:
The land (Kisumu Municipality Block 6/517) was initially allocated to artisans in 1986 by then-President Daniel Moi.
Kenya Railways began constructing Uhuru Market on part of the land in 2019, prompting the artisans to file Kisumu ELC Case No 59 of 2019 to stop the project.
The case was consolidated with ELC No 8 of 2020 filed by KRC, extending the legal battle to six years.
Impact on Artisans:
Nyayo Sheds has been a hub for informal manufacturing and skills training for decades.
The ruling threatens workshops, investments, and a major source of employment for thousands of families.
Artisans have invested billions of shillings over 40 years, including government-supported facilities like the Kisumu Central Constituency Industrial Development Centre.
Response:
David Odanga, Secretary General of the Kisumu Central Jua Kali Artisans Association, expressed disappointment but confirmed plans to appeal the decision.
He urged the government, including President William Ruto, to intervene to protect livelihoods and preserve Kisumu’s informal manufacturing legacy.
The artisans hope to engage in dialogue with authorities to find a fair solution.
Significance:
Nyayo Sheds is one of the largest informal industrial clusters in the region, growing from 200 artisans in the 1980s to over 38,000 today.
The ruling underscores the tension between urban development, legal land ownership, and protection of informal sector livelihoods.