Residents of Kericho County have raised concern over the establishment of gas storage and refilling plant by a private developer at a land near residential area.
The resident claimed that that the up- coming gas refilling and storage plant poses a health risk to the people who reside nearby. Kericho Boda boda Association Chair, Edwin Koros said that the Gas plant is being established in a residential area and the proximity to academic institutions may hugely interrupt learning process owing to environmental pollution that may allegedly cause respiratory complications to students.
“Concerned parties never conducted public participation to get the views of Kericho residents on the development of the plant that may negatively affect the lives both socially and economically. We call upon the National and County government to reconsider the relocation of the plant,” said Mr Koros.
Legal investment
On his part, the project proprietor Mr. Nicholas Kirui said the land acquired for the Sh 50million project was acquired 21 years ago and they have been paying rates to the County Government. In addition, the Kericho County Lands, Housing and Physical Planning CEC Barnabas Ng’eno stated categorically that the ongoing construction of the gas plant in Kericho is on private land. He added that the private investment boarders a public cemetery which he pointed out that its boundaries are intact and have not been encroached.
“The project started with a retaining wall. Prior to this we got all the licenses from the County Government and were subjected to the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) for appraisals and Environmental impact assessment,” said Mr Nicholas Kirui.
“I can confirm to you that the gas plant investment was acquired legally by a private developer and is on a private land so there is no cause of alarm,” Mr Ng’eno assured.
