Teso residents demand public participation in Ksh5.5B Kocholya-Keng’atuny Dam project
The proposed revival of the multi-billion-shilling Kocholya/Keng’atuny Dam project has sparked fresh concerns among residents of Teso North Sub-County, who are demanding transparency and comprehensive public participation before the project proceeds. Residents of Kosenyi, Mwari, Aboloi, Kakoli and neighbouring areas have questioned the basis for reviving the project, citing concerns over land…
Residents in Teso North Sub-County are demanding transparency and full public involvement before the revival of the Kocholya/Keng’atuny Dam project, which is estimated to cost Ksh5.5 billion. These residents from Kosenyi, Mwari, Aboloi, Kakoli and surrounding areas have raised several concerns including land acquisition, compensation, resettlement and the possible impact on sacred burial grounds and culturally significant sites.
In an open letter addressed to Teso North MP, Oku Kaunya, the residents, through Nicholas Immo Spear, expressed their support for development projects, but emphasized the need for transparent implementation and consultations with all affected communities. Spear urged residents to be informed about the potential impact on their land and livelihoods before any transactions took place, calling for the establishment of identities of those who acquired land in the project area.
They are also seeking to hold accountable those who allegedly acquired land from unsuspecting residents at unfair prices, either by returning parcels or compensating original owners at current market rates. The residents have questioned the credibility of a previous public participation exercise held at Hotel Levantes in Amagoro, claiming it involved elderly women who were not adequately informed about the project.
They demand comprehensive details about the dam's boundaries, the number of households affected, compensation arrangements, resettlement plans, and its environmental, social and cultural implications. The residents also want downstream communities included in the consultations, warning that flooding could affect homes, businesses, farms and other properties.
The Ang’ololo Dam project along the Kenya-Uganda border has been cited as an example of a project that benefited from greater transparency and community engagement. The residents stress that they are not opposed to dams or development, but they want the Kocholya/Keng’atuny project to be undertaken in a manner that protects land rights and livelihoods, with integrity and transparency.
Written by urgent.news from KBC's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
