THE SITUATION

In September, Nature Kenya – the East Africa Natural History Society – met with environmental officers and an engineer from the Kenya Electricity Transmission Company Limited (KETRACO). Nature Kenya expressed its concern at the impact of the electricity lines on flamingos, pelicans, endangered vultures, and birds that migrate across the continents. It was noted that the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for the project had been done in 2009; a rapid ecological assessment had been done this year, and construction had already started.

In conclusion, it was agreed that a joint team of experts from both Nature Kenya and KETRACO be constituted to undertake a rapid study including site visits. The results and the recommendations of the study will inform subsequent decisionmaking.