NET held a hearing earlier this week and concluded that the National Environment Management Authority (Nema) the body that issues licences for project commencement had issued the coal company an Environmental impact assessment licence without following all considerations of the law of Kenya for EIA license issuance. 

In the court case, NET came to the conclusion that the proponents of the project had not undertaken public participation of the residents in the area which is a key process in the EIA licence issuance. Additionally, NET claims that the proponents failed to take a consideration of the Climate change Act which touches on the importance of environmental conservation against pollution of the environment. NET pointed fingers at NEMA; the environmental body for issuing a license which appears to be generic and not specific to the project at hand. 

The tribunal chaired by Mr. Mohamed Balala ordered Amu Power company and Nema to start a new EIA licensing process and ensure they comply with the law if they want to proceed with the project. The proponents of the project: Amu Power CEO Cyrus Kirima said that the firm had taken note of the concerns raised in the ruling and was committed to working with stakeholders to ensure that all matters are addressed. 

Anti-coal activists have been pushing for the government to focus on setting up clean energy projects instead of coal to ensure sustainable development as well as championing for SDG13 that fights for Climate action to ensure a reduction in the carbon footprint of the country. Some 975 acres of land had already been set aside for the project which is expected to generate 1,050 megawatts however compromising the health of the residents. Kenyan environmentalists have always been against the Construction of the 1,050 megawatt plant in the coastal town of Lamu since 2015, halting the project severally. 

  Health effects of coal

As we all know, the burning of coal is not environmental friendly. This is because it produces harmful byproducts and gas emissions such as sulfur dioxide, carbon dioxide and nitrogen oxide that causes pollution to the environment including acid rain. Moreover coal energy is a nonrenewable energy source. Air pollution from coal-fired power plants includes sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, particulate matter (PM), and heavy metals, leading to smog, acid rain, toxins in the environment, and numerous respiratory, cardiovascular, and cerebrovascular effects. 

The establishment of the project would also lead to the destruction of mangroves and breeding grounds for five endangered species of marine turtles, fish and other marine life polluting Lamu’s pristine air, 21 kilometres from plant, and pose health hazards on an island that is a Unesco World Heritage site and a top tourist destination.,