KenGen embarks on reviving social activities in West Pokot County

Kenya Electricity Generating Company (KenGen) has embarked on reviving community projects along the Turkwel corridor in West Pokot County. This recent development was approved by the National Assembly Committee on Energy team which visited the Turkwel power plant last weekend. During the visit they held public forums with KenGen’s management, local leaders and residents from Pokot and Turkana communities. At the meeting, the company deliberated with the local and national leaders, they agreed to revive the Turkwel Gorge Club, which had been disfunctional for many years. KenGen Board of Director’s chairman, Joshua Choge, said that the project was only possible because of an improved security presence in the region. “Now that there is peace, we are starting with the club, which is in a deplorable condition. We will carry out our corporate social responsibility to uplift the lives of people residing within the power-generating plant,” said Mr Choge. KenGen in the past few years has progressively suspended some of the services it offered to residents. This was due to the presence of armed bandits severaly have carried out deadly attacks in the region which saw the company relocating its staff to Kitale town while other personnel were transferred to various power stations in the country. Choge said all employees who had been relocated would return to Turkwel. “Many structures and equipment were vandalised during the time of insecurity. We shall renovate the houses to resume normal business for those staying in Kitale and working in shifts,” he said. “This is a new beginning. We want to revive annual cultural events, where we will have morans, athletics and beauty contests. Residents will also get a market for their products.” The director revealed that the company would build structures in schools around the power plant, as well as provide residents with water and relief food during drought. KenGen, he said, would connect power lines and piped water to villages and schools in Riting, Lorogon, Loyapat, Lonyangalem, Ombolion, Kases, Takaywa, Karon, Lorogon and Kaprokor, where residents had lived for more than 30 years without the basic amenities. Energy committee chairman David Gikaria urged residents to resolve their problems peacefully for the sake of development. He said inter-marriage would be one way of bringing about harmonious coexistence. Kapenguria MP Samuel Moroto urged KenGen to fast-track projects that would benefit residents financially. “Security has been beefed up in the area and we asked KenGen to come back and continue with their operations. Security is good because the Government has deployed security forces to protect the lives and property of KenGen staff and the local communities,” said Mr Moroto. Embakasi South MP Julius Mawathe called for unity among neighbouring communities and said there was need to arrive at a permanent solution to insecurity. “Let us shun tribalism. Engaging in conflict chases away business and employment,” Mr Mawathe said. Paul Lolem, a resident, said they were tired of being marginalised. “We have reformed and need development. We need our children to be sponsored with school fees and scholarships.”