Group seeks to stop Lamu port project

Some Lamu residents have filed a case in court seeking to block the government from building the country’s second port in the county.

They claim they have not been involved in implementation of the project.

They submitted that the undertaking of the proposed project was an infringement and breach of the constitutional rights of the people of Lamu and that the government had failed to discharge its constitutional responsibility to protect them.

The petition has been filed by Mr Mohammed Ali Baadi on behalf of the residents.

They have named the Attorney General, Lands, Environment, Transport, Roads and Energy ministers and the Kenya Ports Authority as respondents.

Negative effects

Through lawyer Abraham Korir, they submitted that the proposed Lamu Port-Southern Sudan-Ethiopia Transport would have negative impacts on their culture, economy and environment.

“The government has not carried out a consultative environmental impact despite the obvious dangers the project exposes the local population to,” said Mr Korir.

He submitted that the Japanese company tasked with designing the port had declined to provide information on the contract sum, thus depriving them the opportunity to know the fiscal implications of the entire project.

The petition was certified urgent and will be hearing on Thursday.