“Protest against coal power plant”
June 27
Correspondent Bryan Opany, 25, from Nairobi in Kenya, is a photographer. He shares his photos from a demonstration over a controversial coal-fired power plant project in Kenya.
“I was invited by the grassroots environment movement 350 Kenya, to produce feature stories highlighting the concerns of environmental activists about the Lamu coal power plant in Kenya. On World Environment Day, I photographed activists demonstrating against the construction of this power plant. The Lamu power plant project was expected to begin in 2015 but has been delayed for several reasons. Environmental activists want to ensure the project does not move ahead.”
According to organizers of the demonstration, around 250 protestors from across Kenya – including from Lamu and Kitui turned out to express opposition to the 1,050MW Lamu coal plant.
The demonstrators oppose the construction of the plant because they claim it would be harmful to the environment and would negatively impact the health and well-being of the local communities in Lamu county.
Dressed mostly in black, the demonstrators held placards with messages such as: ” Clean coal is a dirty lie,” and “Coal costs lives.” The environmental activists used the demonstration to the launch their an anti-coal campaign called deCOALonize.
During the march, some demonstrators who were dressed in skeleton body suits and masks, dramatized scenes of sickness and death to make their point.
While those who support the coal-powered plant, claim the project is good for the country’s economy and will not destroy the environment, the protestors disagree. They are demanding “the immediate cessation of all activities leading to the construction of a coal plant in Lamu.” Lamu is a coastal county in northern Kenya.
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About me: I am a writer, photographer and videographer transitioning into film-making. I am based in Nairobi, Kenya. I am interested in human rights, environmental and social issues and I’m interested in creating photographic essays in relation to these issues.
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Opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of the Commonwealth Youth Programme. Articles are published in a spirit of dialogue, respect and understanding. If you disagree, why not submit a response?
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