Re: Yala Swamp aka Dominion Group

Peter Okoth CIAT-Nairobi TSBF) wrote:
Dear Mr. Obungu,

I would like to register my sentiments on all this discussions that are going on. First, I would like to point out that I am Lead Environmental Impact Assessment Consultant for NEMA. I think many people misconstrue the issue of impact assessments and blow them out of context. People use the term ‘Environmental Impact Assessment’ to discourage or even kill projects. EIAs are not supposed to derail or even condemn projects. Any project being implemented in any place has positive and negative impacts. Some impacts are direct while others are indirect. An EIA normally advices on mitigation measures for the negative impacts and encourages the positive elements.

Any time you open new land for any reason you are exposing that land to environmental hazards. It is the justification of the project that matters, economic or human survival is normally the main driving principle. As somebody earlier observed, you mess up with the environment and thereafter clean it up. There are huge Gold Mines in South Africa and elsewhere, why don’t they give up the gold for the sake of the environment? There are ways of mitigating against negative environmental impacts. We should all know this and this should inform our discussion of any project, be it the Dominion Farm, The Molasses Project and any other project to be implemented in any part of the World. This though said, we must in all this discussions remain aware of process magnitudes. There are processes that within human control and others without. In suggesting any project, we should not loose sight of this least we be called fools. Nuclear power mismanaged can wipe communities completely.

This we must not loose sight of.

Politics aside, none of the projects in Nyanza is beyond human management and control. Let us support the Dominion Group. Their activities are seeds of growth and rays of hope for the forgotten people of Nyanza. We must learn from it and replicate it elsewhere in Nyanza. Let many more projects come to Nyanza that will put food in peoples mouths. I urge all sober thinking and thoughtful individuals to be constructive in word and deed in order for us to build Nyanza and the Western part of the country. Let’s not shoot ourselves on the feet.

I gently urge those doubting to be patient and watch things grow. Their children and grand children are on the line.

Thanks and good day!

Peter Okoth