Economy

Kalonzo urges Lamu residents to reject coal power plant

kalonzopic

Wiper Democratic Movement leader Kalonzo Musyoka. FILE PHOTO | NMG

The Sh200 billion coal fired power plant is being forced on Lamu people, Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka said.

Mr Musyoka said the plant had hazardous effects on the environment and human health.

Speaking at a rally in Kizingitini Island in Lamu East during his tour of the area, the Nasa co-principal lauded Wiper deputy party leader and county woman representative Shakila Abdalla for opposing the project.

Mr Musyoka said Lamu people should rise up and denounce the project.

He said a similar project was rejected in Kitui for the same reasons despite the area being rich in coal deposits.

Ms Abdalla said she will not be deterred in her decision to oppose the coal plant.

She said certain individuals “have been pocketed” to accept the coal project.

“I will not relent. I will fight for the people of Lamu on the coal power plant,” she said.

Mr Musyoka called on the people of Lamu to join hands with the rest of Nasa supporters across the country and vote out the Jubilee government in the coming elections.

READ: Landowners urge Amu Power to speed up coal plant
Last month, rights groups based in Lamu opposed the move by the National Management Authority (Nema) and the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) to approve the controversial project.

The group argued that the locals had not been given enough time to asses the environmental and social impact the project would have.

ALSO READ: Activists oppose Sh200bn Lamu coal plant