Today Governor Jeremiah Lomorukai stressed on the need to have a Memorandum of Understanding to guide the County Government’s engagement with the Kenya Electricity Generating Company (KenGen).
A legally binding framework, he said, would enhance inclusiveness, transparency and enable residents of Turkana to benefit from Corporate Social Responsibility(CSR), employment as well as business opportunities available at the Power Plant.
Speaking today in Lodwar, when he hosted a team from KenGen led by its Managing Director Peter Njenga, H.E. emphasised that the Turkana leadership was keen to ensure that residents get their fair share from the power plant’s revenues as it houses the Turkwel Gorge.
He remarked that, “There are numerous concerns that we are keen to have them addressed by KenGen particularly on resource sharing and power connectivity. We feel that we are not getting the necessary support”.
He also highlighted water challenges, insecurity and displacement of residents from their ancestral land due to conflicts associated with feuds over the Kenya Electricity Generating Company PLC.
He insisted that the Turkana leadership must be engaged on the proposal by Tullow Oil Company to pipe oil water from Turwell Dam to South Lokichar Basin where oil fields are situated.
The County boss also reminded the management of the company of President Ruto’s promise to extend power connectivity from Lokichar to Kalokol via Lodwar.
On his part, Engineer Peter Njenga, who is KenGen’s Managing Director appreciated the call by the leadership to dialogue and expressed the Company’s willingness to trade with local businesses in areas where power plants are stationed.
The KenGen MD revealed that the Company had already purchased pipes to connect water to Lorogon village and primary school before the end of this month.
The Turkana County Assembly leadership led by Majority leader Stephen Edukon and Minority leader Samwel Lomodo called for a framework agreement to ensure fairness in resource management and distribution for the two counties.
Senior County Government officials present included Deputy County secretary Joseph Nyang’a:County Executives Elizabeth Loote(Tourism), Patrick Losike(Infrastructure) and Peter Akono(Lands), Chief of Staff Peter Loyapan as well as Advisors to the Governor, Richard Ekail (Economic) and Ekiru Tulele (Legal).
A team Chief Officers present included Paul Lodung’a(Office of the Governor), Cecilia Majuma(Public Service), Triza Amoni(Energy) and Leah Losuru (Lands).
