Turkwel — the Sh6bn white elephant

The Sh6 billion Turkwel dam has been dogged by controversy since its inception.

Before it was even built it was branded a white elephant and condemned as unprofitable

Constructed by a French firm — Spie Batkinolles between 1986 and 1991 — it has a capacity of 1,641 million cubic metres but it has never been full since it was built.

Fighting between the Pokot and Turkana has claimed more than 20 lives, including those of security officers trying to stop the violence, in the last three months following disputes over ownership of the land on which the plant was built.

Accusations and counter-accusations over job opportunities and revenue sharing have resulted in bloodshed and loss of property by both communities.

Built in a remote village on the border of Pokot North and Turkana South, the dam has also been criticised by local leaders and environmentalists who claim it has failed to achieve its objectives.

The dam’s chief engineer, Mr Isaac Tarus, said it was a landmark in the area and could produce about 10 percent of Kenya’s electricity.

At first, he said, the neighbouring communities were not benefiting directly from the power generated but things have changed.

“Initially local people were just seeing the power lines passing over their heads but there is local distribution now to places such as Kainuk, Marich, Sigor and Tot where the benefits can be seen in the increasing number of welding workshops and other commercial uses.

“Previously, the challenge was the Pokot and Turkana warring over cattle but when we thought that had been addressed, the hostilities took a different dimension and the disagreement is now over land,” Mr Tarus said.

Although the conflict had not affected production, the staff did not feel safe.

“It is quite discouraging that because of the animosity it becomes difficult to get people to do casual jobs,” he said.

The latest victim was KenGen worker Charles Lorot who was shot and injured by suspected Pokot bandits as he headed for work.

“The armed bandits ambushed and shot the employee in what is believed to be protracted rivalry over boundaries,” said Mr John Bosco Mutu, the Turkana South police boss.

The second phase of the power project comprised agricultural development downstream to benefit both communities.

An estimated 1,200 acres was to be put under crops through an irrigation system at a cost of Sh500 million donated by the French Government.

The irrigation was to cover Nakwamoru and Lorogon and act as a buffer zone to contain rustling and banditry.

It failed to take off however following claims of political interference and alleged embezzlement of the funds.

According to Kerio Valley Development Authority (KVDA) head Francis Kipkech, feasibility studies have been carried out but fresh funding remains a major problem.

Two government parastals — KenGen and KVDA — have been locked in protracted wrangles over change of ownership of the plant.

The differences were sparked by a government decision to hand over the management of power generation to KenGen while KVDA maintained the geo-physical activities of the dam.

KVDA are the initial owners of the project that generates annual revenue of about Sh 1.6 billion but sends only Sh45 million to the regional development body for conservation.

Locals also want a share of the revenue generated from the 106 megawatts of electricity sold by Kenya Power and Lighting Company (KPLC).

A memorandum to the Permanent Secretary for Energy, Mr Patrick Nyoike, from the Pokot Council of elders, states that the issue of land compensation has yet to be settled.

Also KVDA is now demanding Sh431 million a year from KenGen with part of the money going to the Suam conservation project to check silting at the dam.