| Abstract |
Public participation and access to information are recognized in Principle 10 of the 1992 Rio Declaration as vital tools in any development process. This principle states in part “Environmental issues are best handled with the participation of all concerned citizens at the relevant levels…………..”. According to Chapter 23 of Agenda 21, one of the fundamental pre-requisites for the achievement of sustainable development is broad public participation in decision making. In many countries, including Kenya, public participation rights are granted via Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) procedures or in various sectoral laws adapted to the special circumstances of each sector. Consultation with and dissemination of information to the public are important objectives of ESIA. In Kenya, Section 59 of Environmental Management and Coordination Act (EMCA), 1999 provides for public participation and access to information when conducting ESIA. Early identification of issues and resolution during the planning stages has shown to deliver projects on time and with much wider stakeholder support. It also minimizes delays resulting from surprises and allows for the incorporation of communities into the benefit stream as a partner. Consultation and engagement have become the recognized tools to ensure anticipated and emerging issues are identified and managed. Informed participation is a more intensive and active form of consultation. This increased level of involvement tends to generate a shared sense of ownership in a process and its outcomes. The more a particular stakeholder group is impacted by a component of the project, the more important it is for them to be properly informed and encouraged to participate in matters that have a direct bearing on them, including proposed mitigation measures, the sharing of development benefits and opportunities, as well as implementation and monitoring issues. Public involvement has therefore been conceived of as both a sustainability objective and a principle of best practice. The Kenya Electricity Generating Company Limited (KenGen) is developing power plants to generate 280MW of electricity at Olkaria in Naivasha Sub-County, Nakuru County, Kenya. This paper seeks to draw from the experience of stakeholder consultations carried out during ESIA for the 280MW Olkaria I Units 4 & 5 and Olkaria IV geothermal power projects, including preparation and implementation of the Resettlement Action Plan. Emphasis will be placed on how the project-affected persons at Olkaria area were involved in the decision making process during planning and construction phase of the two power plants, leading to better outcomes. |