Tension as 163,000 Nakuru residents oppose eviction in Geothermal project row

Tension remains high in Ol Rongai, Rongai Sub-county, Nakuru County, after more than 163,000 residents from 16 villages, including Ol Rongai, Marigo, and Rigogo, strongly rejected a plan by the Geothermal Development Company (GDC) to displace them for geothermal energy drilling.

During a community meeting with local leaders, residents said the community is not ready to leave their land, which they depend on for farming and economic survival.

“When we had a public hearing, NEMA came to the ground and told us that before they give out the Geothermal Exploration licence, they would first come here, but they did not come,” Timothy Ng’etich, a resident, said.

“We started with them in 2009, and they have been lying to us that they would give us water, repair roads, build health centres and employ our youths. They have not done any of that,” another resident, Kibet Komen.

Residents, through High Court advocate Mark Ondaga, warned they will seek legal redress if the government fails to intervene.

“They are peaceful people, highly organised, and very conscious of their rights. We have been successful at least in challenging one of the licenses for lack of public consultation,” he said.

They are demanding the cancellation of GDC’s license within two weeks, insisting the government must protect the rights of locals.