Nairobi: Civil society groups in Lamu have expressed concerns over the continued push by Amu Power Plant to establish a coal plant within the Kwasasi area despite a 2019 National Environmental Tribunal revoking the project over environmental concerns. Amu Power, on its part, had this year begun the appeal process, to which environmentalists within Lamu have staged demonstrations and sit-ins demanding the High Court's intervention in quashing the project from proceeding.
According to Kenya News Agency, a court ruling is expected later on September 3rd, 2025, following repeated delays in delivering judgment over the issue. Speaking during a demonstration held in Lamu today, Amu Beach Management Unit Chair Mohammed Abubakar called on the courts to adhere to their earlier ruling that took into account the environmental concerns that the Lamu community had expressed in its submissions through the lower court.
'Setting up a coal power plant will lead to the decline of fishing, farming and even pastoralism, all of which are the chief economic activities for a large population in Lamu,' Abubakar stated. He further noted that Amu Power, the parent company that seeks to set up the coal power plant, had not provided sufficient evidence showing how the project could be set up and still conserve the environment.
Save Lamu Executive Director Walid Ahmed also expressed concern over the continued push to have the project established in Lamu despite the court ruling and the community's disdain for the project, which he added would harm their livelihoods. 'Lamu risks losing its status as a World Heritage Site, with the environment likely to be greatly degraded,' he noted.
Walid further observed that the wastewater that will come out from the coal power plant once it becomes operational is likely to kill any fish life within the Kililana and Kiangwe areas, which he noted have been rich fishing grounds for Lamu fishermen. On her part, Lamu Women Association Chairperson Raya Famau called on the courts to adhere to the rule of law and fairness in ensuring the rights of the common Lamu people are not infringed at the expense of the self-serving interests of a few investors.
Natural Justice Lamu Coordinator Saidi Salim expressed confidence that the Environmental Law court would maintain the 2019 tribunal's ruling on grounds that Amu Power had still not provided sufficient evidence showing how they would conserve the environment alongside their commercial interests of establishing a coal plant with the coastal county.