NAIROBI, Kenya, July 20 – A group of professionals representing the indigenous host communities of Loiyangalani Ward in Laisamis Constituency, Marsabit County, have raised concerns regarding the proposed KenGen Wind Power Project.
The group, in a letter to KenGen management, acknowledged the potential socio-economic and environmental benefits of the renewable energy project while calling for inclusive community engagement, recognition of indigenous heritage, and transparency before any further progress is made.
“As professionals of the host community, we recognize the significance of the proposed Wind Power Project and the potential benefits it can bring to our region,” read the letter in part.
“However, we emphasize the importance of ensuring our voices, as the indigenous host community, are heard and that our concerns are addressed from the very beginning.”
The host community representatives have outlined several demands, including renaming the project from the currently proposed “Marsabit Wind Power Project” to “Loiyangalani-Mt. Kulal Wind Power Project.”
They argue that the current name fails to reflect the cultural and geographical identity of the project’s actual location, contrary to KenGen’s own naming conventions used in projects like Olkaria and Ngong.
Another point of contention is the proposed site office location.
The group objects to KenGen’s choice of gas in Laisamis Constituency, arguing that it does not represent the majority of turbine sites.
Concerns have also been raised over the proposed infrastructure development route, which they describe as indirect and biased toward benefiting neighbouring constituencies.
The professionals propose a shorter route that would not only ease access to the site but also enhance road connectivity in Laisamis.
On land acquisition, the group urges KenGen to align with the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) map and respect ongoing land registration efforts.
They call for full consent from the community and validation of engagement reports by local professionals’ associations.
The leaders from four local professional associations—Rendille, Kulal, Turkana, and Elmolo—insist that community concerns must be addressed before any financial commitments are made by KenGen or its potential investors.
