Leaders in West Pokot have urged Turkwel Hydo–Electric Power project to fully re-open its operations for residents in the area to benefit from the services that had been suspended by the Kenya Electricity Generation Company Limited (KENGEN) management due to rampant insecurity at the Pokot, Turkana border.
Eight years ago the KenGen management suspended some of its services offered by the power plant after 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 the escalating insecurity that was experienced in the area.
The company also transferred its personnel to other power stations due to increased acts of lawlessness arising from a bitter conflict over the ownership of the power project between Pokot and Turkana communities.
Led by Kapenguria MP Samuel Moroto the leaders said the community hasn’t benefited from KenGen hence urged the national government to intervene and solve the row that may soon erupt between the community and the company.
They have given out a two weeks ultimatum failure to which they will stage a major demonstration and block the road.
“President Uhuru Kenyatta and his Deputy William Ruto should intervene in the matter,” said Moroto, who said security has been beefed up and KenGen should come back and continue with operations.
Moroto observed that over 300 casual workers who were employed at the company are now jobless, adding that residents are ready to maintain security to enable operations to go ahead. He called on the company to start corporate social responsibility projects to uplift the lives of the locals and help sustain the peace in the area. He noted that the company hasn’t initiated any notable projects to benefit the area residents.