Nairobi, April 12 -- Plans by the government to acquire 1,500 hectares of communal land in Turkana County for an international airport and a Kenya Air Force base have drawn fierce opposition from residents, who say the move threatens their ancestral grazing land and way of life.

Tension flared in Kangatotha Ward as elders broke into protest songs during a public meeting convened to discuss the proposed projects.

Seated on traditional stools or pacing slowly while raising their sticks, they repeatedly interrupted proceedings with songs of disapproval, turning the meeting tense as officials from the Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Lands and the National Land Commission listened with their message was clear that  the land must remain...