Leadership row hits geothermal project
Olkaria Geotheraml plant. A dispute between two groups is threatening to derail geothermal exploration. A meeting called between Kenya Electricity Generating Company (KenGen) and residents at Olkaria in Naivasha to agree on a working formula was disrupted by a rival group at the weekend. PHOTO/FILE
What you need to know:
- A meeting called between Kenya Electricity Generating Company (KenGen) and residents at Olkaria in Naivasha to agree on a working formula was disrupted by a rival group at the weekend.
A dispute between two groups is threatening to derail geothermal exploration.
A meeting called between Kenya Electricity Generating Company (KenGen) and residents at Olkaria in Naivasha to agree on a working formula was disrupted by a rival group at the weekend.
The residents stormed the meeting venue and stopped the talks, claiming the meeting comprised “hand-picked” officials and an ousted group of Maasai leaders.
They accused a local administrator of taking sides in the dispute.
“We are legitimately in office but the administrator has decided to give us a cold shoulder and has, instead, chosen to work with ousted leaders,” according to Nakuru County Maasai Council of Elders official Felix ole Reson.
Mr Reson said that they would not allow exploration by KenGen to go on before their concerns were addressed.
He claimed that former leaders were using “divide-and-rule tactics” to address issues affecting the Maasai community.
