Government urged to cancel Lamu coal project

Pan african Climate Justice Alliance (PACJA) Executive Director Mithika Mwenda.

An international climate justice campaigner has asked the Government to rethink its plan to build the Lamu coal plant, and instead cancel the project for the sake of biodiversity.

Speaking at Nyayo House, Nairobi, yesterday during a demonstration by civil society organisations (CSOs), Pan-African Climate Justice Alliance Executive Director Mithika Mwenda (right) said the Government must realise that there will be more losses than gains if the project continued.

“Why put Kenya through trouble when other countries are opting for cleaner and renewable energy such as wind and solar? Coal mining is not cool, it's a killer,” said Mr Mwenda.

The opposition came even as Energy PS Joseph Njoroge said Tuesday that the Government would delay the project because demand for coal-powered energy might be less than expected.

However, the State’s promise to continue with the project “in the next four to five years” irked the CSOs, which protested in the streets of Nairobi, carrying dummy coffins.

“Having a coal power plant in Lamu must be supported with facts, and the realities surrounding it laid bare. Kenyans must not let a few individuals kill our economy and ecology as they strive to get rich quick,” said Mwenda.

Other CSOs in the early morning demo were Green Peace Africa, the Kenya Platform on Climate Governance, and deCOALonise.