This archive report was first published on 2 December 2019.
Published on December 2, 2019
Geothermal Development Company's (GDC) plans to drill five geothermal wells in Subukia have sparked a heated dispute with local residents, who claim they were not consulted before the project was proposed to the National Environment Management Authority (Nema).
According to GDC Director Kamau Kuria, the company will only halt the plans if Nema dismisses its proposal. However, more than 400 residents, led by their MCA Peter Mbae, argue that GDC never consulted locals before handing over its proposals to Nema.
Mr. Mbae expressed fear that the move will render a section of the locals homeless as the project could see majority displaced. He also accused GDC of submitting an Environmental Impact Assessment report (EIA) to Nema in late October, while only giving residents a month to submit their views.
“Unless the project is cancelled by either Nema or the Parliamentary committee on Lands and Natural Resources, GDC has no powers to abort it,” said Mr. Kuria.
The residents are now living in fear of being displaced as well as suffering disruption to their normal farming activities. They are calling on Nema not to issue a greenlight that will lead to implementation of the project.
