22nd May 2024, Nairobi, Kenya:
Following an exercise undertaken by Kaya Gandini elders, local administration, and officers drawn from Kenya Electricity Transmission Company (KETRACO), National Museums of Kenya (NMK), and Nippon Koei Kenya/Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), it has been established through ground-truthing and government maps that no part of the Kaya Gandini is impacted by the 220kV Mariakani-Dogo Kundu power transmission project. Kaya Gandini is a UNESCO-classified and government-gazetted monument of cultural heritage significance
The exercise was conducted following complaints received by KETRACO from the National Museums of Kenya and subsequently forwarded to NEMA. This feedback was due to the gazettement done by National Land Commission (NLC) on behalf of KETRACO for the creation of a wayleave for the proposed 220kV Mariakani Dongokundu Transmission Line. The part of the Kaya that was gazetted due to a mismatch in maps is 0.1970 ha.
KETRACO and NMK consequently made a joint site visit in May to Mariakani Dongo Kundu Transmission lines where stakeholders including the area chief, Madam Umanzi Mwangolo and 25 elders of Kaya Gandini Kaya led by Mr. MwanaMwegga Chigamba, Chairman of Kaya Gandini were present.
While addressing the Kaya members present, Manager Environmental Safeguards and Sustainability at KETRACO, Mr. Godana Ramat, said that beyond ensuring that the ecologically and culturally sensitive forest is not affected, stakeholders are invited to monitor the activities along the stretch in question during the construction phase of the project.
“We call upon every stakeholder to keep an eye on this project to ensure that the integrity of the Kaya boundary is maintained.” Said Ramat.
Coast Kaya project officer Mr. Lawrence Chiro expressed his satisfaction with the outcome of the exercise undertaken to confirm that the Kaya Forest will not be affected in any way by the construction of the line.
Chairman of the Kaya elders Mr. MwanaMwegga Chigamba echoed Mr. Chiro’s sentiments saying that KETRACO had done its due diligence and used a collaborative approach in putting the matter to rest.
“We the 25 elders of Kaya Gandini were involved from the start of this conversation and we are happy that KETRACO has come back to reassure other stakeholders that Kaya Forest is not under threat of destruction as had earlier been reported.” Said Chigamba.
KETRACO has committed to, in collaboration with NLC, degazette the section in question as part of project’s wayleave.
Others who attended the various meetings on site included Dr. Hosea Wanderi- Research Scientist NMK, John Musina- Research Scientist NMK, Harrison Odhiambo- Environmental Safeguards consultant (Nippon Koei Africa) and Joyce Owino- Social Safeguards consultant (Nippon Koei Africa)
The Mariakani Dongu Kondu 220kV project will improve the quality and reliability of power supplied to the Coast region, ensure efficient utilization of the 500kV Ethiopia-Kenya HVDC link and the imported power through the Suswa-Isinya Transmission Line and supply reliable power to the Special Economic Zone in Dongo-Kundu.
About KETRACO
KETRACO, owned by the Government of Kenya, was incorporated on 2nd December 2008 under the Companies Act, pursuant to the reforms in Sessional Paper No.4 to plan, design, construct, own, operate, and maintain high voltage national electricity transmission lines and regional power inter-connector which form the backbone of the National Electricity Grid.
In carrying out its mandate, the Company is developing a new robust grid system to:
- Improve quality, reliability, and safety of electricity supply throughout the Country.
- Transmit electricity to areas that are currently not supplied by the national grid.
- Evacuate power from planned generation points.
- Provide a link with the neighbouring countries to facilitate power exchange and trade in the East Africa Region
- Reduce electricity transmission losses hence reducing the cost to the economy.
- Protect electricity consumers from the high costs of power by absorbing the capital transmission infrastructure.
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