Potential Environmental and Socio-economic Effects of Geothermal Exploitation on the Local Community: a Case of Suswa Geothermal Plant

Abstract

This study sought to assess the potential environmental and socio-economic effects of geothermal exploitation on the local community in Suswa that primarily encompasses pastoralists who practice a nomadic lifestyle and open range grazing. The analysis targets the local community living around the energy project in the Suswa area. The objectives were to assess potential environmental and socio-economic effects of exploitation of energy, on the area people in Suswa and to debate on viable ways for addressing the issues which may arise so as to boost the standard of living of the local community living around the Suswa geothermal energy plant. This study took a look at the hypotheses that there exists no significant difference between geothermal power exploration and environmental effects on the local community in Suswa and that there exists no significant difference between geothermal power exploration and the economic and social welfare of the local community in Suswa by conducting a chi square test for various environmental and socio-economic effects. This study was conducted using descriptive survey design. Samples for the questionnaire survey were chosen using simple random sampling whereas purposive sampling was applied in obtaining key informant interviews and participants for the focus group discussions. The information used was provided by the Kenya Population and Housing census, 2019. This study was conducted using both primary and secondary data that produced both qualitative and quantitative data. Data collected was analyzed by using descriptive statistics and inferential analysis, using the applied math’s package for scientific discipline (SPSS) to get frequencies, percentages, means and variance, and then presented in form of tables and graphs. In the findings, the families interviewed expressed fears that the exploration might create a health risk, to employees in the industry and to the communities and their animals living around the projected Suswa geothermal plant such as respiratory diseases and possible miscarriages of both humans and animals. On the other hand, the potential advantages are likely to fall within the areas of education; infrastructure, health, economic empowerment; environmental management and support of art & culture. The pertinent conclusion of the study supported the findings that the potential socio-economic and environmental effects of the energy project still needs further efforts to ensure a win-win state of affairs for each; the government and also the local community living in the vicinity of the Suswa geothermal energy plant. This study recommended that albeit socio-economic impacts being inevitable in any energy development project, this ought to be minimized by holding informatory and consultative forums with the community and by taking their interests, fears and issues into consideration, and ensuring the implementation of sound environmental management and operation systems by the government.