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"id": 32675,
"url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/32675/?format=api",
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"speaker_name": "Dr. Otichilo",
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"id": 131,
"legal_name": "Wilber Ottichilo Khasilwa",
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"content": "Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I beg to move the following Motion:- THAT, noting that Lake Turkana which is the world’s largest and most saline lake is a source of survival for six communities in northern Kenya (the Turkana, Elmolo, Samburu, Gabbra, Rendille and Daasanach) which depend on it for livestock grazing, watering and fishing; aware that River Omo, a trans-boundary river which originates from Ethiopia contributes more than 90 percent of the total water influx into Lake Turkana; further aware that the Gibe 3 Hydropower Dam which is under construction by the Government of Ethiopia on River Omo will dramatically reduce the flow of the River into Lake Turkana by over 70 percent leading to a 10 metre drop in the lake’s level and increase in the lake’s salinity which will significantly affect the lake’s biodiversity; deeply concerned about the devastating impact this will have on the long-term ecology of the lake and the socio- economic and wellbeing of the affected communities; and cognizant of the fact that no independent, comprehensive environmental and social impact assessment of the Gibe 3 Hydropower Dam was undertaken in the River Omo-Lake Turkana trans-boundary water system areas prior to the commencement of its construction, this House resolves that the Kenya Government officially demands that the Government of Ethiopia stops the construction of the Gibe 3 Hydropower Dam until an independent and comprehensive environmental and social impact assessment is undertaken and appropriate mitigation measures put in place. First, I want to thank Friends of Lake Turkana, a community trust based in Kenya, for bringing to my attention the matter of the expected impact of the construction of Gibe 3 Dam on River Omo, a trans-boundary river between Kenya and Ethiopia on Lake Turkana. I am also grateful to the trust for the information they availed to me on the same. I am also grateful to all concerned Kenyans about Lake Turkana, because the impact of this dam is going to be devastating if no action is taken. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, I wish to discuss and support this Motion, first, by giving brief information on Lake Turkana and its importance. This will be followed by information on Gibe 3 Dam and the expected short-term and long- term impact on the future of the lake, hence justification for urgent need to stop the construction of the dam until a comprehensive environmental and social impact assessment is done. Lake Turkana is the largest most northerly and most saline of Africa’s Rift Valley lakes. Its main tributary is River Omo, a trans-boundary river, which enters the lake from the north, contributes more than 90 percent of the water influx into the lake. The lake also receives water from Turkwel and Kerio rivers. The lake has no outlet, and water is lost mainly through evaporation. The evaporation rate at the lake has been estimated to be 2,335 millitres per year. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, the water level of this closed lake is determined by the balance between the influx from the rivers and ground water and evaporation from the lake surface. Therefore, the level is sensitive to climatic variations and subject to multi-seasonal fluctuation, as well as long-term periodic changes. In recent years, there has been increasing shrinking of the lake, and this is causing a major concern to the communities living around the lake. Lake Turkana is a UNESCO heritage site because of its importance in terms of biodiversity and archaeology. The lake supports over 300,000 people and has a rich animal and plant life. Among the birds that inhabit this area are flamingos. We also have the Nile Crocodiles and so many other animals that inhabit this area. Six communities, namely the Turkana, Elmolo, Samburu, Gabra, Rendile and Daasanach, depend on it for livestock grazing, watering and fishing. Lake Turkana is also famous for its archaeological richness. It is known to be the origin of mankind, hence a very important area for archaeological research. The lake is also important for tourism activities, particularly in Siviloi National Park. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, I will now give brief facts about Gibe 3 Dam. It is the largest investment project ever implemented in Ethiopia. It is located 300 kilometres South-West of Addis Ababa, on the Omo River. The project was started in 2006 and is expected to be completed in 2012/2013. The cost of the project is estimated at US$2.11 billion. The cost has increased by about 10 percent since 2006. When completed, it will create a water reservoir of a surface of 211 square kilometres, and will have a length of 151 kilometres. It is expected to generate 1,870 megawatts of electricity, more than double the country’s current installed capacity. In its rush to construct this dam, the Ethiopian Government neglected to properly assess virtually every aspect of the project, thus violating domestic laws and international standards. The Ethiopian Government is now seeking international financing to complete Gibe 3 Dam. However, evidence is mounting that the dam could be a development disaster for Ethiopia and this region, particularly the Lake Turkana area. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, the Ethiopia Power Corporation, which is responsible for the development of Gibe 3 Dam and oversight, awarded the project to a construction company in 2006 – an Italian company called Salini Construction at a cost of US$2.11billion. The African Development Bank (ADB) is considering funding Gibe 3 Dam for undisclosed amount. The European Investment Bank is considering financing Gibe 3 Dam with up to US$341 million. The bank has yet to officially begin project appraisal. The Government of Italy is considering financing Gibe 3 Dam with up to US$341 million. The construction of the dam is halfway through. In its rush to construct the dam, the Government of Ethiopia neglected to properly assess economic, technical and environmental as well as social risks, thus violating domestic laws and international laws. It also neglected to study the effects of climate change, which could dramatically affect the dam’s performance over its lifetime. A post-construction analysis is currently being done to provide supporting evidence for a decision made years ago. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, as a result of the foregoing, the following is the expected impact of Gibe 3 Dam to the communities living downstream the Omo River in Ethiopia. One, hundred thousand indigenous farmers living in the lower Omo Valley will lose their livelihood, particularly through crop failure, because the annual Omo River flooding will be altered. Additional 100,000 people will lose their grazing land. This is already happening. There will be reduction of fertile land, which will increase tension and conflicts among communities, threatening years of progress in peace building efforts. This is already happening. We already have a lot of conflicts between the two communities living in that area. The dam’s 150 kilometre reservoir will create a perfect breeding ground for mosquitoes, thus increasing the prevalence of Africa’s most deadly killer disease, malaria. In Kenya, the dam will reduce the Omo River flow into Lake Turkana, causing the level of the lake water to drop by up to 10 metres. This will critically alter the ecosystem and affect over 300,000 people. This is already happening. The lake’s salinity will increase, making the lake water undrinkable. The increase in salinity is also likely to impact negatively on the biodiversity – the animal and plant – and this is going to cause a big problem. Conflict in this area will increase. As we speak, conflict in this area is increasing. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, recently, the Prime Minister visited the area and promised that the Government would start a major irrigation programme. This will not happen if the dam is constructed to completion, because there will be no water. Tourism and archaeological activities in that area will not thrive. Lastly, tourism, which is very popular in that area, will collapse. Although the Omo/Turkana River Basin is shared by Kenya and Ethiopia, no agreement has been reached on Gibe 3 Dam impact to Kenya’s communities and economy. Neither has Kenya demanded a comprehensive environment and social impact assessment of the project on Lake Turkana. Instead, in 2006, an MoU was signed between Ethiopia and Kenya for the purchase of 500 megawatts of electricity from Gibe 3 Dam. An 800 million US Grid cost for connection between Kenya and Ethiopia has been estimated for this to happen. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, given that there is credible evidence that no comprehensive environmental and social impact assessment was undertaken prior to the commencement of the construction of the dam; and further given that the negative effects of the dam to the livelihood of the affected communities and development is going to be catastrophic, it is important that the Government of Kenya really demands from the Government of Ethiopia, probably through the African Union (AU), the international community or directly through bi-lateral discussions, to ensure that the construction of the dam does not continue until a proper and comprehensive environmental and social impact assessment is done and proper medication measures are put in place. The Government should lobby international financiers, particularly the African Development Bank (ADB), European Investment Bank (EIB), the World Bank and the Government of Italy, not to fund this project prior to credible Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, currently, the ADB is considering funding this project. There are also plans to fund Gibe IV Project. Therefore, it is important that we move with speed. I wish to conclude my submission by referring to the commitment the State has made to Kenyans in the Constitution regarding the environment conservation and management. Article 69 (1) states that:- “The State shall ensure sustainable exploitation, utilization, management and conservation of the environment and natural resources and ensure the equitable sharing of the accruing benefits. (e) Protect genetic resources and biological diversity. (f) Establish systems of Environmental Impact Assessment, environmental audit and monitoring of the environment. (g)Eliminate processes and activities that are likely to endanger the environment” This activity is very dangerous and will impact on this country. According to Article 42 of our Constitution, every person has a right to a clean and healthy environment. The people of Turkana deserve that. Finally, I wish to appeal to all my colleagues to support this Motion. This is a Motion of national importance. We cannot afford to let construction of this dam go on. This is because the impact is going to be catastrophic and we will have a major economic impact to this nation for many years to come. I beg to move."
}