US wind firm row puts Swazuri on the spot

National Land Commission chairman Muhammad Swazuri has been put on the spot for awarding a local energy firm 3,200 acres of land that the Lamu County had already allocated to American company Cordisons International for the construction of a Sh23 billion wind power plant.

Cordisons claims that the disputed land is part of 11,100 acres that the Lamu County had instructed Dr Swazuri to allocate to the American firm.

In court documents seen by the Business Daily, the US firm says Dr Swazuri’s move is part of a ploy to aid local firm Kenwind to hijack its wind power project and wants the Malindi High Court to intervene.

Cordisons has sued Dr Swazuri, the NLC, Land ministry, Lamu County and Attorney General as it seeks to quash a gazette notice published in August 2016 that greenlit Kenwind’s project.

The Environment and Land Court in Malindi has issued a temporary order suspending the gazette notice, until Cordison’s suit has been heard.

Lamu County in its response says it approved Cordison’s project in 2013 and allocated 11,100 acres to the American firm, but that the NLC has now sought to hive off 3,200 acres and award it to Kenwind.

Necessary approvals

The NLC has thrown its weight behind Kenwind, arguing that the local firm has already obtained necessary approvals from the national government.

Dr Swazuri adds that Kenwind requires 3,200 acres, just a fraction of Cordison’s project.

Kenwind has partnered with Belgian firm Electrawinds to develop its wind plant.

The local firm has, however, faced opposition from residents who say the Lamu County Assembly bypassed the governor’s office when approving the project.

They further claim that more than 8,000 residents will be unfairly kicked out of their land if the project is allowed to continue and that the area has hospitals, 10 churches, three mosques, three public primary schools and other social amenities which benefit the residents.