Residents of Olorongai in Menengai West have expressed relief after the National Environmental Complaints Committee (NECC) visited the area to hear their grievances over an ongoing land dispute involving the Geothermal Development Company (GDC) and KenGen.

The community fears that the planned phase two of geothermal exploration will not only displace them but also expose them to serious health risks and environmental degradation.

Speaking to Mtaa Wangu, Mary Njogwu, the secretary of NECC, says the Committee had come to listen to the affected residents and verify their concerns.

The secretary National Environmental Complaints Committee (NECC) , Mary Njogwu, during an interview in Olorongai on August 25,2025.

Photo credit: PURITY KINUTHIA/MTAA WANGU

“This committee is the environmental ombudsman in Kenya and our mandate is to listen to complaints involving environmental degradation or threats to the environment brought to us by any person in the Republic of Kenya. That is why we are here, because we have heard a complaint from the people of Olorongai and we have come to listen to them so that we look into what is disturbing them in terms of environment and also their health,” Njogwu explains.

She adds that after gathering concerns from residents, the Committee would conduct a site visit to confirm the claims.

“We must do site visits to see what has been said, whether it is true or not. We are here to listen to Wananchi. After that, we shall be going to the field so that we see whether what they have told us is correct,” she says.

For residents, the fears are deeply personal. Timothy Ng’etich, a resident of Olorongai, notes they came in to meet NECC because for years they have written letters, petitions, and resolutions to the national government, GDC, and KenGen, but most went unanswered.

“Now we are prosecuting our case before the Committee. And we are telling them we are not going anywhere. This is our land and our heritage. Our children were born here, they are studying here, and this is where they will be raised," Ng'etich notes.

Residents from Olorongai, Menengai West Ward lift placards protesting the Phase two Project that is expected to be done on their land by GDC and KenGen. Photo taken on August 25,2025.

Photo credit: PURITY KINUTHIA/MTAA WANGU

He notes that if the exploration of Phase two takes place, over 163,000 people including children will be affected.

"Already we are facing air pollution from hydrogen sulfide, noise pollution that even disturbs our children in school, and human-wildlife conflict because animals are being displaced into our farms. If phase two begins, it means coming directly into our fields, and that will destroy our lives,” he laments.

According to Njogwu, the residents’ main concerns as shared are both environmental degradation and the fear of displacement.

She notes the Committee intends to involve all parties, including the residents, GDC, and KenGen, during the field verification exercise. The findings will then be compiled into a report and forwarded to the relevant authorities.

“If it is environmental degradation, we are going to do our report to NEMA and the Ministry of Environment. If it is a land issue, we are going to do our report to the Ministry of Lands. We don’t take long with our reports. In about a week’s time after investigations, the report should be ready,” Njogwu states.

For now, residents of Olorongai are hopeful that the intervention by NECC will not only bring their concerns to the attention of the National government, but also provide a fair resolution to a dispute that has left them anxious about their homes, health, and livelihoods.

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