By:Betty Luke
A section of residents from Tana River’s Chewele Ward in Bura have protested the planned establishment of a 40,000-acre sugar cane plantation,within Bura Irrigation Scheme, saying the project would disrupt their livelihoods and access to grazing land.
The residents demanded a more inclusive consultation process before the project is allowed to proceed noting although they supported development, there was need to ensure communities affected by the initiative were listened to.
The protest follows a public participation exercise held about a week ago by the investor with residents maintaining that those directly affected by the project were left out of the meeting.
Bush clearing and the establishment of seed cane nurseries have commenced in preparation for commercial farming.
According to the pastoral community, their biggest concern was the size of grazing land that was set to be put used for the multimillion project, sending a strong fear of loss of livelihood and more pressure on the remaining grazing land.
They called for clear information on how grazing needs would be accommodated if large tracts are converted to crop production.
Residents also demanded that government address longstanding gaps in basic services, including water, roads and healthcare arguing that their needs should form part of the conversation alongside large-scale agricultural investments.
The sugar project follows renewed investment in the Bura Irrigation Scheme after President William Ruto commissioned the 26-kilometre Bura Gravity Canal earlier this year.
The canal is intended to provide a more reliable water supply by replacing the scheme’s costly diesel-powered pumping system with gravity-fed water from Kora Kora.
The improved water infrastructure has opened the way for plans to lease about 100,000 acres to private investors to expand agricultural production in Bura.
The residents however maintained that any form of development must protect their livelihoods, respect community concerns and proceed only after genuine and inclusive consultation.
