Kipeto Wind Energy Project: A case study on best practice in community engagement in energy projects
The Kipeto Wind Power Project in Kajiado County, Kenya hopes to inject 100 MW of clean, efficient and renewable energy to the national grid... The Kipeto Wind Power Project area is inhabited by the Maasai, a semi nomadic indigenous community whose main livelihood system is livestock keeping... In developing such projects, investors are required by law and both international and national human rights standards to ensure stakeholder participation and benefits to the communities in the project area. Noting that communities in Kenya and other parts of the world have raised serious concerns about the negative impacts of such projects on their land rights, livelihoods and cultures, this case study demonstrates the value of complaint mechanisms and community engagement for new large scale constructions to increase energy generation... Key lessons [include]:
- Investing in social capital is necessary for the company even in the absence of express legal requirements.
- Involvement and commitment of the company’s top most person(s) to secure community rights help ensure project success.
- To secure indigenous peoples rights, it is critical that investor’s should lease rather compulsorily acquire or purchase indigenous communities lands.
- Negotiations with the community must be carried out in good faith, in an open and transparent environment. Community engagement is not a one-off event... A company must therefore be prepared to invest significant resources and focus on long-term financial sustainability instead of short-lived gains.
- A robust grievance mechanism—particularly one that incorporates traditional dispute resolution processes—helps address conflicts in a timely manner.