NOW KENYA PROPOSES FOR A JOINT COMMISSION MANAGEMENT FOR RIVER OMO POWER PLANT DAM THAT
POSES THREAT TO DRY UP LAKE TURKANA.

Date: Tue, 23 Jun 2009 19:01:35 -0700 (PDT)
Writes Leo Odera Omolo In Kisumu City

As one way of defusing charged political temperature and tension and restoring sanity in the Horn of Africa region, Kenya is proposing for the establishment of a joint trans-boundary management commission with Ethiopia to avoid misunderstanding over any project that may affect Lake Turkana ecosystem.

According to the Kenya team that is currently in Ethiopia on a fact finding mission to learn more about the construction of an hydro-electric power plant on River Omo, it was feared the project could impact negatively on Lake Turkana.

Kenya insist that she must be consulted on further water use or development of projects on River Omo inside Ethiopia that may risk the free flow of water into the lake from upstream.

The move followed the protest by Non-Governmental Organizations {NGO} against the construction of the dam, saying it would affect and cause the death of Lake Turkana, and the lower ecosystem of the Omo River.

Following the protests by the NGOs, the World Bank and the European Investment Bank, on whom the Ethiopian government had banked for financial support, have changed their minds and refused to get involved.

The latest report from Addis Ababa says that the state-owned Ethiopia Electric Power Corporation, which has been championing the project, has received government funding and is now looking to the African Development Bank for further financial support.

The project, dubbed Gibe 111, with only 32 per cent covered, require nearly USD 2 billion. When completed, it will generate 1,670 MW, which will be more than enough for Ethiopia?s domestic consumption with the extra power being sold to the neighboring countries.

The proposed joint commission would be charged with the responsibility of ensuring the common interests of the two neighboring states are taken care of..

Kenya?s director of water resources, Mr John Nyaoro has been widely quoted by the EASTAFRICAN, a Nairobi weekly, as saying the Kenyan team that visited Ethiopia were made to understand that Gibe 11 hydroelectric power dam project does not affect the natural water flow towards Lake Turkana.

The director was further quoted as saying that the project, unlike irrigation where water is drawn for use without returning it to the river, would not be a cause of worry for the survival of Lake Turkana, as the water used for running the electric generator turbines are returned back to the river to complete their flow into lake Turkana.

The bigger part of Lake Turkana is on the Kenyan side of the border with a small section spreading into the Ethiopian side of the border.

There has always been very cordial diplomatic relations between Nairobi and Addis Ababa ever since Kenya attained her political independence in 1963. It blossomed mostly during the reign of power of the late Emperor Haile Selassie and the founding President of Kenya, the late Mzee Jomo Kenyatta.

The Kenya delegation had asked that an out fit to be put in place to monitor the on-going Gibe 111 power dam project periodically in order to ensure that the project is implemented according to the environmental impact assessment recommendations.

The Kenya team made an extensive tour of Omo River, the site of Gibe 11 hydro power dam, which is to be completed in the next one month time and the site of the controversial Gibe 111 dam, which is the only second biggest dam in Sub-Saharan Africa.

The team included 14 officials and hydraulic experts who are expected to submit a report to the Kenyan government before the end of this month [June 2009] Foreign Ministers. The two countries will thereafter meet and discuss the proposal.

On his part, the Ethiopian Minister for Water Resources Asfaw Dingamo blamed “outsiders” for allegedly trying to spoil the Kenya-Ethiopia relationship and development plans. “As far as we are concerned, we do not need outsiders to remind us on what do. We are responsible custodians of the environment and out natural resources”, he said in a remark viewed as directed at the NGO groups opposed to the project. It was these groups, which had alerted the Kenya government when they expressed fears that the project may in the long run force Lake Turkana to dry up.. Most water of River Omo flow into Lake Turkana.

Ends
leooderaomolo@yahoo.com

About the author;.
Leo Odera Omolo is a veteran Kenyan journalist operating in Western Kenya and northern and western Tanzania and at times in Uganda. He has a wealthy experience and journalistic prowess running to over 30 years. But now he is in semi retirement and working as a freelance writer on topical issues and subjects. He is widely traveled in Africa, Europe and Asia.

He can be reached on a land line phone Number 957 2500827 or Mobiles 0722 486181 and 0734 509212. His postal address is P.O. BOX 833, KISUMU- Kenya.