The County Assembly of Lamu has unanimously voted to scrap a planned a Sh21 billion wind power plant for failing to meet standards.
MCAs now want the acquired land of 3,206 acres, returned to the original owners. The project in Baharini area of Mpeketoni was to generate 90MW.
The project was approved in July 2015 on condition that it met all requirements including renewal of the National Environment Management Authority (Nema) Environmental Impact Assessment licence.
Land was to be acquired through the National Land Commission with approval of the county government for not more than 25 years. But the project was not to overlap meant for a different purpose.
Other conditions included a Resettlement Action Plan (RAP), that was also to be approved by the county assembly with or without amendment, with the approval only allowing for wind power generation.
The MCA further accused the investor of being directly involved in the resettlement plan instead of allowing SGS Kenya to work independently. SGS is a globally respected firm that specializes in inspection, verification, testing and certification.
“I prevail on the house to nullify the project approval for failure to meet some of the required conditions as per the motion approved by this house on July 22, 2015. I also urge the house to compel the Lamu County Government through the Land and Physical Planning department to demarcate, survey and issue title deeds to the people affected in the said land that was meant for the project,” Njomo said.
The wind project was approved in february after Kenya Power signed a 20-year Purchase Agreement, a PPA, signifying the project’s viability.
