Guardians of Lamu
In 2013, the Kenyan government announced plans to build a huge (1050 MW) coal-fired power plant in Lamu County, Kwasasi, as part of its Vision 2030 industrialization strategy. The US$2 billion project, to be developed by Amu Power, threatened Lamu’s UNESCO World Heritage-listed Old Town, as well as its unique biodiversity, including mangrove forests and coral reefs.
More than 600 landowners were set to lose their homes and livelihoods as a result of the 387 hectares of land acquired for the project. Although Amu Power was promising jobs and economic growth, the project lacked transparency, and failed to offer meaningful community consultation, adequate compensation, or resettlement plans. The risks of air, land, and water pollution were major concerns for the community. However, community input was ignored; the government and Amu Power failed to explore alternative energy solutions and the looming threat to the ecosystem. This heightened local frustrations that led the people of Lamu to decide to unite and reject this project.
This case study documents how the people of Lamu led a grassroots movement that ultimately led to major financiers withdrawing support and the cancellation of the project's environmental license. Read on to learn how this incredible success for the community-led climate movement was achieved, with tips and lessons for the other activists resisting harmful internationally-financed projects.
