In a rare turn of events, former Prime Minister Raila Odinga was heckled at an event in Kisumu County after angry residents showed up at the announcement of a proposed Industrial Park in Muhoroni.
Nation reported that the irate residents were opposed to a proposed 500-acre special economic zone in the area, citing issues of land grabbing.
They protested that the area, which would be set aside for economic use, was their ancestral land that had been reverted to the defunct Kisumu Municipal Council after they were moved due to constant flooding.
Carrying placards to Odinga's event, the locals demanded compensation before the project begins.
Raila tried to defuse the situation by emphasising the importance of the special economic zone.
"Why are you embarrassing me? I am bringing development yet you are not keen on the projects that will benefit you," he pleaded with the residents.
"There is no need of SGR bringing goods to Kisumu from Mombasa then going back empty-handed. We must ensure through economic zones that whenever they bring goods they go back with it to enhance trade," he added.
An official from Keninvest, the government body that supports the setting up of special economic zones, told Kenyans.co.ke that matters of acquiring the land falls upon the county government.
The building of the industrial park will be launched officially in August by President Uhuru Kenyatta, his Uganda counterpart Yoweri Museveni and Felix Tshisekedi of DR Congo.