This archive report was first published on 26 June 2020.
Residents of Chemosit in Kericho County are up in arms against the Kenya Tea Development Agency's (KTDA) Setet Hydro power project, which they claim has reneged on agreements made before its commencement.
According to Chemosit Member of County Assembly (MCA) William Soi, KTDA and the project contractor, US Hydro/PVT Ltd., changed the initial route for the tunnel, diverting it away from residents' farms and towards the road to avoid compensating them.
The project, funded by the World Bank to the tune of Sh1.2 million, aims to supply electricity to five tea factories in the region. However, residents are concerned that diverting a huge volume of water from the river will deny them access to the water.
Soi also accused KTDA and the contractor of failing to provide tap water to residents as agreed upon, despite the project's progress. He further claimed that the site was not properly fenced, putting children and livestock at risk.
Residents shared concerns about the environmental impact of the project, citing the death of a chicken that fell into the deep gorge created for the tunnel, as well as the rescue of a cow and a child who fell into the tunnel.
Soi urged the Transport, Infrastructure, Housing, Urban Development, and Public Works Cabinet Secretary, James Macharia, to visit Chemosit River to hear the residents' grievances. He also requested visits from the Water Minister, Cecily Kariuki, and the Environment Minister, Keriako Tobiko, to assess the environmental degradation.
Residents, including a youth who runs a car wash near the project site, fear that the project will deny them their only source of livelihood if alternative water sources are not provided.
Published on June 26, 2020.
