Safaricom headquarters in Westlands, Nairobi. [Photo/ thebigissue.co.ke]
Residents in Mombasa are seeking a court order to stop Safaricom Ltd from constructing a trans-receiver station on a parcel of land in Mwembe Tayari.
In the suit filed in court, Mr Mahmood Shariff Ali and 10 others want Safaricom to be barred from erecting the trans-receiver base on the piece of land or within a radius of 500 meters due to fear of environmental risks.
The residents claimed that an environmental assessment that was carried out found out the trans-receiver exposed residents to high electromagnetic radiation that leads to dangerous health hazards.
The residents, through their lawyer Jack Matheka, said Safaricom had informed them about the project and its environmental impact, but they had unanimously objected the construction of the base.
The residents further accused Safaricom of failing to provide alternative mechanisms for environmental conservation which they argued is contrary to the law.
“The consultation and public hearing did not comply with the law since it was not publicised nor announced in the radio set out,” the suit papers read in part.
The petitioner further said Safaricom had continued with the project despite them rejecting the proposal.
“The defendant through the area chief conducted meetings with a few residents in order to coerce consent, none of them (meetings) are publicised in the local and national dailies or announced in the radio as required by law.” the suit papers further stated.
Safaricom Ltd is also accused of failing to comply with the regulations of the Communications Authority of Kenya before carrying out the project.