May 8, 2019

Emmanuel Igunza
BBC Africa, Nairobi



[image: image.png]Getty Images
Lamu is a popular tourist destination


An environmental tribunal in Kenya is set to rule on a case challenging the
setting up of the country’s first coal plant.

Residents and environmentalists have opposed the building of the plant in
the coastal town of Lamu, saying the environmental assessment carried out
on the viability of the project was flawed and that the plant would
threaten the area’s rich ecosystem.

The Kenyan government has signed a multi-million dollar agreement with a
consortium of local and Chinese firms for the construction of the dam,
which will generate more than 1,000 MW of electricity once completed.

But residents of Lamu, a popular tourist destination, say their livelihoods
will be in danger if the plant is built.

In October, a court temporarily halted the construction of the plant,
following a case lodged by Lamu residents who have initiated a campaign
dubbed Save Lamu.

Analysts have also questioned the government’s push for exploiting fossil
fuels while it has huge potential in renewable energy like wind and solar
power.






-- 
Ann Marie

"The art of living consists of knowing what to pay attention to and what to
ignore."  -- Mardy Grothe

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