Deputy President William Ruto campaigns for Lamu coal plant
A record of public news articles of DP Ruto’s support for Lamu coal plant. Full articles.
#1 Ruto urges support for coal plant and wind power project
Aug. 25, 2016, By CHETI PRAXIDES
Deputy President William Ruto has accused Lamu leaders of using misinformed propaganda to sway the public’s support for major development projects. He said they scare away investors. Ruto told residents the Sh200 billion coal plant and Sh21 billion wind power project will change Lamu’s economy as well as the entire country.
He spoke on Tuesday during the last day of his Lamu tour of Mpeketoni. Ruto told county leaders to first establish the facts about projects before rejecting them. “We don’t want people opposing development projects that they have no knowledge of. These projects are meant to change the lives of our people and I think leaders must have the interests of the people at heart,” he said.
The coal and wind plants are expected to generate 1,050MW and 90MW of power. The coal plant will be built by the Amu Power Company, while the wind project will be put up by Kenwind Holdings Company. Ruto said the extra power will be used on the Lamu Port Southern Sudan-Ethiopia Transport project.
“There is need to ensure the power-generation capacity is increased … we shall also have in place industrial parks, resort cities, the standard gauge railway and others. All these require adequate power production and supply,” said Ruto.
#2 Don’t scare away investors, Ruto tells Lamu leaders
Daily Nation
Wednesday, August 24, 2016
Mr Ruto asked leaders in Lamu County to be good public opinion shapers.
KALUME KAZUNGU
Deputy President William Ruto has asked leaders in Lamu County to first seek information concerning proposed investment projects before opposing them in order to avoid scaring away investors. Addressing locals at Mokowe in Lamu on the last day of his tour on Tuesday, DP Ruto also criticised leaders who use misinformed propaganda to sway the public’s opinion concerning mega development projects intended to benefit the county.
Instead, Mr Ruto asked the leaders to be good public opinion shapers, particularly concerning issues with the development of the region.
He said instead of leaders engaging in activities that could scare away investors, they should concentrate on development projects that eradicate poverty among locals.
He said the government’s plan is to ensure all development projects intended for the county are a success.
POWER PROJECTS
He assured locals that the intended Sh200 billion coal-fired power plant and the Sh21 billion wind power project will change the course of Lamu’s economy and that of the entire country.
The coal plant projects is expected to generate 1,050 megawatts of electricity once completed.
The wind power plant which is being implemented by Kenwhind Holdings Company in conjuction with World Bank is to be set up at Baharini in Mpeketoni and it is expected to generate 90 megawatt of electricity.
Mr Ruto said measures have been put in place to ensure such projects are not only safe and non- hazardous but also of great help to the host counties and the nation.
He said the aim of establishing such projects is to ensure the country’s power generation capacity is increased in order to cope with the demands of the new Lamu Port South Sudan-Ethiopia Transport (Lapsset) Corridor project, proposed industrial parks, resort cities, the standard gauge railway (SGR), among others.
OPEN UP FRONTIER
Mr Ruto said the government will continue implementing such projects since they will open up Kenya’s northern frontier to more trade and investment opportunities.
“The Government is keen on initiating projects with positive impact on the country’s economy and improves the lives of its people.
“Today, I want to assure Lamu residents that the government is responsible and will ensure that the health and safety of the citizens is considered as we establish development projects like the coal plant and the wind energy projects,” said Mr Ruto.
On his side, Lamu Governor Issa Timamy lauded Mr Ruto for the tour of the county which he termed as crucial to the development of Lamu. Mr Ruto was accompanied by MPs Julius Ndegwa (Lamu West), Athman Sharif (Lamu East), Khatib Mwashetani (Lunga Lunga), Senator Lenny Kivuti (Embu), Lamu Woman Representative Shakila Abdalla, Governor Timamy and his Tana River counterpart Hussein Dado.
