Lamu Commissioner warns against politicizing wind power project – KBC

Lamu County Commissioner Joseph Kanyiri has cautioned Lamu residents and leaders from politicizing the compensation and resettlement of those who will be affected by the 21 billion shillings wind power project in Mpeketoni.

The county commissioner said the government has established proper mechanisms on compensation after carrying out a Resettlement Action Plan that meets international standards.

The county commissioner dismissed reports circulated earlier on social media claiming that the investor was acquiring land illegally and without involving locals through proper compensation mechanisms. He reiterated that the government is monitoring the process and everyone who will be affected would be compensated.

The ongoing process to map out the project area is the first process to establish the boundaries and ascertain the number of people likely to be affected.

So far, 3,206 acres of land have been acquired from 600 land owners for the wind power project, which will be set up at Baharini in Mpeketoni. The project, once completed, will generate 90MW of electricity.