Communities living in the geothermal-rich area of Kedong and Lapland in Naivasha have given the greenlight for drilling of geothermal power worth Sh 10billion in the region by a private company after years of differences.
The communities which have been affected by the project reached an agreement with Akiira geothermal company after a series of consultative meetings. The communities had opposed the project arguing that some of the families had been oppressed for years. The move had split the community into two but following a consultative meeting in which the environmental audit report was tabled, they agreed to back the multi-billion project.
Misinformation
According to one of the local leaders, Mike Ole Roka, from the Kitet community, there was misinformation over the scope of the work and environmental impact. Roka noted that though the Akiira geothermal company had not hit any wells, and the community had benefited from various projects including water and education for their children.
The company community liaison officer Isaac Seroney said they were keen to work with the community adding that they had set communication channels. Once the groundworks start, area youths would benefit from job opportunities and later the nation would get cheap electricity.
Mr. Roka called on the country and national governments to back the project saying that it will be a game changer in the county once complete. This was echoed by another elder Maenga Kisotu from Lapland area who said that they had seen the fruits of such projects in the past.
