Group seeks to stop power project over compensation

A group of Maasai community members has moved to court seeking to stop geothermal exploration in Naivasha claiming they have been excluded from compensation talks.

The multi billion-shilling project in Kedong could therefore grind to a halt if the suit by 29-year-old Stephen Ole Parkire and 14 others goes through.

The project, spearheaded by the government, has attracted international players putting Kenya on the world map as a geothermal power producer.

Environment and Land Judge Sila munyao on Thursday allowed Geothermal Development Company (GDC) to be enjoined as an interested party saying its activities, though meant for the national good, would be affected if the case sailed through.

The petitioners, represented by lawyer Tom Ojienda, told the court they have lately suffered harassment even as the drilling activities got into top gear.

They said only Kedong Ranch entered compensation talks with the government over the land rich in geothermal deposits worth billions of shillings.

“Our pleas to be included in the resettlement talks have been ignored and strangers have now taken over our their land,” they said in their application.

IN JEOPARDY

GDC legal officer Praxedes Saisi told court that Kenya’s plan for cheaper power for people and young industries is now in jeopardy because of the suit.

She said the company had identified a part of the 75,769-acre land where it plans to resettle the people. “We have built 154 houses, a school, three churches and a police post at Olosinyat,” she said.

“These houses are meant for families relocated from areas targeted for exploration,” Ms Saisi said.

But Mr Parkire protested the move accusing the government of violating their fundamental rights. The government has ignored us in favour of strangers, he said.

“This was only meant to benefit some government officials who intend to buy the land from Kedong ranch without considering in the interests of the over 1,000 manyatta owners.”

The petitioners claim they had constructed nine schools, 17 churches, cattle dips and 60 dams by the time they were told to leave.

They also lamented that the lives of young people from 14 youth groups have been adversely affected after their sand harvesting business was killed by the geothermal exploration activities in the area. The youth have also been evicted, the said.

The petitioners also complained of health complications as result of the exploration. Women have suffered miscarriages and there have also been premature deaths of livestock reported, they said.

They said the area has also become inhabitable due to noise pollution as well as dust that has been blamed for gastronomic and skin diseases. Stillbirths among livestock have also adversely affecting livelihoods.

Mr Parkire’s suit seeks to obtain conservatory orders blocking exploration, evictions and the planned resettlement.

The court will, in two weeks, hear a preliminary objective the government has filed seeking to have the suit thrown out claiming it is an abuse of court process.