"After forcing company to stop a project, communities in Kenya negotiate path forward"

...In 2012, Akiira 1 Geothermal Power Plant Project was introduced in Rapland and Suswa communities in Naivasha, Kenya by Akiira Geothermal Limited. The project involved construction of a 70 megawatt electric geothermal power plant with financial support of €155 million (USD 192 million) from the European Investment Bank. From IAP’s initial interaction with the affected communities, it was clear that the fear of loss of land and livelihoods as well as distortion of their pastoralist lifestyle were of great concern to the affected persons...

In April 2018, Narasha Community Development Group with support from IAP conducted a community-led research in the project area to gauge the community’s level of knowledge and engagement in the project...These findings were shared with Akiira Geothermal Limited and the European Investment Bank and consequently, the European Investment Bank withdrew from the project...

Through stakeholder engagement meetings conducted by Jaama Resource Initiative in April 2021 and attended by Akiira Geothermal Limited, civil society organizations and officials from the Nakuru County Government, it was established that Akiira Geothermal Limited was seeking alternative financing to carry the project forward. The company planned to involve the affected communities in the phased implementation of the project starting with scientific studies followed by exploration works and finally the development of the power plant. Akiira Geothermal Limited noted that it was open to development of national capacity and capabilities through investment in developing and procuring locally available workforce, services and supplies to facilitate sharing of accruing benefits.