Mbita court halts eviction of omena traders at Nyagina Beach in Rusinga
Feb 01, 2026
Hundreds of omena traders and fishermen at Nyagina Beach in Rusinga Island, Homa Bay County, have secured temporary relief after a court blocked the Kenya Coast Guard Service from evicting them from their traditional fish drying grounds. The traders, who have used the lakeshore land for sun drying omena for many years, had been issued with a verbal notice on January 21, 2026, directing them to vacate the area by January 27. The directive came from the KCGS and the Deputy County Commissioner of Mbita Sub-county, sparking fear and uncertainty among the beach community. Nyagina Beach Management Unit Chairman Joseph Kaseu filed a case at the Mbita Magistrate Court, naming the Attorney General, the Deputy County Commissioner, and Austine Kikuvi—the KCGS Inspector in charge of the Mbita base—as respondents. Through lawyer Phenny Odhiambo, Kaseu argued that the eviction was unlawful, noting that the disputed land is registered under the former Suba County Council and specifically reserved for Nyagina Beach operations. Mbita Principal Magistrate Martha Agutu issued a temporary order restraining the KCGS from evicting the traders and fishermen until the case is fully heard and determined. The ruling allows the community to continue their omena drying activities as the legal process unfolds.
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