The Kenya Electricity Transmission Company (KETRACO) has received approval to continue constructing the 220kV Mariakani-Dogo Kundu power transmission project after ecological concerns from the locals.

The project had stalled after residents said it would negatively impact Kaya Gandini, a UNESCO-classified and government-gazetted monument in Mombasa County.

“This feedback was due to the gazettement done by National Land Commission (NLC) on behalf of KETRACO for the creation of a wayleave for the proposed 220kV Mariakani-Dongo kundu Transmission Line,” read a statement by KETRACO in part.

“The part of the gazette notice that identified 0.1970 hectares as Kaya Forest was due to a mismatch in registry index map compared to the fixed boundary map.”

An uproar arose after NLC, on behalf of KETRACO, approved the creation of a wayleave for the proposed power project.

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The part of the gazette notice that identified 0.1970 hectares as Kaya Forest was due to a mismatch in the registry index map compared to the fixed boundary map.

Responding to the uproar, KETRACO and NMK visited the Mariakani-Dongo Kundu Transmission Lines jointly in May.

The visit was attended by stakeholders, including the area chief, Madam Umanzi Mwangolo, and 25 elders of Kaya Gandini Kaya, led by Mwana Mwegga Chigamba, Chairman of Kaya Gandini.

The Mariakani-Dongu Kondu 220kV project will improve the quality and reliability of power supplied to the Coast region, ensure efficient utilization of the 500kV Ethiopia-Kenya HVDC link and the imported power through the Suswa-Isinya Transmission Line, and supply reliable power to the Special Economic Zone in Dongo-Kundu.