Leaders clash over Turkwell power plant

West Pokot County Governor John Lonyangapuo

KAPENGURIA, KENYA: The operations of Kenya Electricity Generating Company (KENGEN) Turkwel hydroelectric power plant in West Pokot County has generated controversy and fired up conflict between the government and local leaders.

Area Governor John Lonyangapuo and Energy Chief Administrative Secretary Simon Kachapin have clashed over operations of the power plant in the area.

The conflict is centered on the fact that the plant   has not benefited area locals.

Local leaders argue that despite the power being produced in the area, there is no electricity in the area and perennial black outs are witnessed in the county.

Speaking at Kapenguria Hospital while launching refrigerators distributed to health centers in the County, the governor claimed locals affected during the set-up of the plant in 1986 were not compensated and they have not received any benefits from the facility.

The project hit its first snag eight years ago after the Kengen management suspended some of the services offered by the power plant when armed bandits carried out several deadly attacks.

The company moved a section of its staff   from the area that is now operating from Kitale town following insecurity in the area.

However Energy Chief Administrative Secretary Simon Kachapin says Kenya Electricity Generating Company (Kengen) will soon resume its operations at Turkwel Hydo –Electric power plant and support various community development projects along the Turkwel corridor.

He said the neighboring communities of Pokot and Turkana have for a long time been engaged in protracted armed raids that have impacted negatively on their socio-economic livelihoods. 

‘Now there is peace in the region. The power company will now carry out corporate social responsibility in the area that will uplift the lives of people within the power generating plant," said Kachapin.

 He added that a technical team will be sent to the ground to ascertain the amount of funds needed for the renovation of various structures destroyed during clashes in the area.