Kenya Brodcasting Corporation  (KBC)
By  rosewelimo  –  
By Benson Rioba
Kenya and Ethiopia have resolved to hold regular consultations on projects that could affect livelihoods between the two countries.
This follows construction of Ethiopia’s Gibe 3 dam that has seen water levels in Lake Turkana reduce affecting fishing activities for Kenyans who rely on the water body.
The two countries have now signed a cross boarder integrated development MOU that requires that any future development projects factor in adverse effects on communities living along the border.
Since 1,870 Mega Watt Gibe dam started its operations last year, there have been simmering complaints from different quarter’s especially Kenyan communities living around Lake Turkana about the subsiding water levels.
The Dam was constructed along river Omo which is the key supplier of water to Lake Turkana. Records show that the lake’s water levels have subsided by nearly 1.5m in the last 18 months since the operationalization of Gibe III dam.
However, Ethiopia is adamant that the dam has not affected Lake Turkana’s water levels since there is no irrigation taking place.
The Ethiopian ambassador instead argues that there was a feasibility study to access the environmental impact before the dam was constructed.
Treasury C.S Henry Rotich says frameworks will be created to ensure that such future projects do not disadvantage communities living along the Kenya Ethiopian boarder. Rotich says plans are underway to seek efficient ways to mitigate effects of the Gibe Dam on communities that rely on Lake Turkana.
Rotich says improved infrastructure along the Kenyan Ethiopian boarder will ease the hostility between the warring communities that has derailed the development of the area.
The two countries signed a cross boarder agreement that seeks to integrate communities living along the Kenyan Ethiopia boarder through sustainable development.
SOURCE    –