Kambi karaya: Electricity companies, including Kenya Electrification Transmission Company (KETRACO) officials and Kenya Power and Lighting Company (KPLC), have raised concerns over increasing encroachment on the Turkwel-Ortum-Kitale power transmission line corridor. The companies warned that structures and mining activities under high-voltage power lines posed serious safety risks to residents.
According to Kenya News Agency, KETRACO Acting General Manager, Eng. Samson Akuto, highlighted the operation of the Turkwel-Ortum-Kitale power transmission line, which supplies electricity from Turkwel power station to parts of the North Rift, Western Kenya, and South Nyanza regions. Akuto explained that the Turkwel power station currently transmits 106 megawatts, with the line carrying electricity rated at 220kV.
He warned that high-voltage electricity could cause fatal accidents, fires, destruction of property, and widespread outages if safety standards are ignored. Akuto emphasized that according to international standards, the transmission line requires a 40-metre way leave corridor with 20 metres on either side from the centre line to ensure safety of nearby residents, reliability of power supply, and legal access for maintenance. He stressed that the 40 metres space directly under the transmission line must not be used for building houses, planting trees, erecting structures, or conducting mining activities.
Akuto urged community members who have built homes or are living under the power line to vacate the area, noting that the land could only be used for grazing livestock, farming short crops, or other low-risk activities. He particularly raised alarm over increased gold mining activities in Kambi Karaya and Lami Nyeusi, saying that digging near transmission towers weakens the ground and could cause towers to collapse.
West Pokot Business Manager for Kenya Power and Lighting Company (KPLC), Abraham Arusei, noted that gold mining activities have attracted people to settle and build houses under the power lines, despite earlier sensitization efforts. He announced that Kenya Power and Lighting Company and Kenya Electrification Company would demarcate the wayleave area, and individuals who have built houses within the restricted zone would receive official notices.
County Mining Officer Brian Bundi said the government is going to take decisive action against all those engaging in illegal mining activities. He also issued a stern warning to all individuals and groups engaged in mining activities in Kambi Karaya and Lami Nyeusi, urging them to strictly adhere to the Mining Act and the environmental regulations governing extraction activities.
Some residents expressed fear that eviction without compensation would leave them homeless and financially distressed. Peter Loponyang, a resident of Kambi Karaya, said many families have lived on the land for years, running shops and other livelihood activities. Another resident, Fridah Chepochepkai, said the eviction notices have created tensions as many families have no alternative place to relocate to, appealing to KETRACO and Kenya Power and Lighting companies to compensate the affected families.