Lamu Women Rep Shakila Abdalla addressing journalists when she led residents in a past demonstration against the coal plant. [Photo/ standardmedia.co.ke]
Over 10 lobby groups on Friday held peaceful demonstrations in Lamu to reject the planned construction of a Sh200 billion coal-fired power plant.The power plant is to be set up by Amu Power Company, a consortium of Gulf Energy and Centum Investments.Led by Save Lamu Secretary General Walid Ahmed, the demonstrators moved around Lamu Old Town streets waving placards denouncing the planned investment.Walid said the demos were held to show solidarity with Save Lamu members who were summoned by the National Environmental Tribunal (NET) to share views on how the local community in Kwasasi will be affected by the project.Police, however, descended on the demonstrators and dispersed them. Police returned the placards to the protesters after the intervention of local elected leaders.“We are not after the project. It is harmful to the health of Lamu residents and the environment at large. The National Environmental Tribunal heard our objection concerning the establishment of the coal plant in Lamu and decided to come to Lamu and hold public hearings. We have organized peaceful demonstrations to show solidarity to the various witnesses who are being questioned by the tribunal,” said Walid.The demonstrators accused the Lamu Count government, Nema and the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) of trying to force the project on Lamu people.“We will continue fighting to the end. The project is harmful and that’s why it has been rejected in Kitui and other places in this country. We will not allow such kind of a project unless they come up with an alternative and environment friendly project rather than coal. We are for green energy,” a resident, Ishaq Abubakar said as quoted by Business Daily.The power project is expected to generate 1,050 megawatts of power once complete. 975 acres of land has already been set aside for the investment. The government plans to produce 5,000 Megawatts of power in the next 40 months.