Land Dispute Grips Kilimanjaro International Airport: Residents Demand Transparency

A land dispute surrounding Kilimanjaro International Airport (KIA) has escalated as residents claim they have been forcibly evicted and their homes demolished without any compensation. The residents are demanding transparency, asking for the names of those compensated to be made public to verify the government's claims.

They argue that they are not invaders but inherited the land from their ancestors who were present before Tanganyika's independence. 

According to Mr. Yohana Mollel, a resident of Kaloleni area, Majengo Ward, "Sanya Lelatema Game Reserve found us here, and this is confirmed by a letter from the Arusha regional commissioner dated January 11, 1965, allowing locals to own 3,500 acres."

Residents made these claims on May 20, 2024, in Arusha, shortly after Government Spokesperson Mobhare Matinyi visited the area and briefed journalists. Matinyi stated that the area had been under government ownership before 1969, known as Sanya Lelatema Game Reserve, and was officially surveyed in 1989, covering 11,080 hectares.

He added that residents were relocated to ensure the safe operation of the airport, and the government had allocated 11.3 billion Tanzanian shillings for compensation to those who had developed their areas.

However, residents have contested Matinyi's statements, insisting that none of them received compensation. 

Esther Laizer stated, "We did not receive any compensation, and we want the names of those compensated to be disclosed to verify the government's claims."

Lemirai Siria added, "More than 20,000 residents were affected by this exercise, and none of them received compensation."

The residents argue that the government's assertion that they took over the land to improve airport operations lacks merit. According to Mr. Mollel, the legitimate area of KIA is 460 hectares, largely unfenced, and they should continue using it to meet international standards.

They oppose the claim that President Samia Suluhu Hassan ordered compensation of 11.3 billion shillings for developments they made, arguing that it's an attempt to circumvent land acquisition laws.

In Tindigani village, residents dispute government claims that three-quarters of the village is within the airport area. They argue that the village was registered as part of Sanya Station in 1976 and that taking over a quarter of the land is unjust.

The residents assert that the government has stated it does not compensate according to the law but provides "comfort" payments, emphasizing that the land belongs to the government. They call for President Hassan to form a team to collect data to verify claims, stating that no one has been compensated for their land.

They conclude by saying they do not oppose the country's development but demand to be involved, as they live in legally surveyed areas. They assert that those in public offices fail to inform the President of the truth, while they exercise their right to vote for local leaders, emphasizing that they are not invaders.