Kenya needs coal, but at what cost to these beautiful Kenyan islands?

Lamu Governor Issa Timamy. (Photo: Maarufu Mohammed/Standard)

On the morning of August 22, Samia Omar woke up with a divided conscience. She spent the whole morning trying to reconcile the two sides. But by 2pm, she had given up the fight and she submitted in her resignation as the Lamu County Trade, Tourism, Culture and Natural Resources Executive.

“As county executive for both investment and natural resources, my mandate and obligation to the public is conflicted between promoting investment in Lamu, and preserving the environment,” said Ms Omar. “Having read the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) of the Lamu Coal Power Plant, I am convinced that the project will have irreversible and profound impact on Lamu,” she said as she handed in her resignation letter.