Reward for human wildlife conflict victims, as National Environment Tribunal says EIA to Lolldaiga PCL is valid 

The Mountain Journal, Nanyuki

editor@themountainjournal.co.ke

Win for Nginyii residents in Laikipia after the National Environment Tribunal allowed the installation of solar powered electric fence along Timau river,  to end the human wildlife conflict.

It was a blow to the 10 investors under the  Lolldaiga Southern Border Landowners as the tribunal ordered the Lolldaiga PLC Limited to proceed with the installation of the electric fence after the appeal to realign the fence  works to the south of the river was dismissed.

The residents who have been victims of human wildlife conflict for more than 30 years, celebrated the judgement by the tribunal chaired by Emmanuel Mumia, after the it threw out an appeal lodged by investors establishing tourist class hotels along the Timau river.

During the proceedings, the residents presented by Human Rights Lawyer Kelvin Kubai told the tribunal their suffering as the wildlife from Lolldaiga PLC limited  with more than 50,000 acres of land destroyed their farms turned them to  dependents.

In the judgement the communities in their joint affidavit, corroborated that the community was aware of the project and supported its objectives

“The KWS expert  Peter Mwangi in his evidence  stated that there are enough water sources within the Lolldaiga Ranch thus the animals will not be stressed,” said Mumia.

Mr Kubai represented the residents drawn from Nginyii and Muramati villages who during the proceedings argued of the continued  destruction of food crops, as he opposed the area as an elephant corridor fronted by the appellants

 The petitioners were Retired KDF Maj General Antony Maritim Rob, Aadil Vaian, Carol Muhia, Ashminder Kaur.

Others  are  Thomas Donald White,  Dr Hilde  Van Leuwee, Abdi Dara,  Nicholas Sadron and Susan Weeks who initiated the suit against the Lolldaiga PLC, NEMA.

 The suit attracted 14 interested parties among them KWS, Kenya Forest Service, African Centre for Corrective and Preventive Action, Lolldaiga Community Based Organisation among others.

In the proceeding,  the petitioner witness was a Belgium National Dr Hilde Van  Leeuwe, while the community fronted mzee James Gathondu Mwangi.

Hilde detailed the plight of the wildlife citing they will be stressed if the electric fence would not be realigned to the south of the river.

“ The fence remaining in the north would block the elephant’s migratory corridor, and access to water,” said Hield.

 Mwangi told the tribunal that the community for years have been victims of human wildlife conflict and have been waiting for the installation of the electric fence.

 The tribunal however dismissed her evidence,  uploading the community interest for an electric fence to protect their farms and properties in the public participation meetings.