Residents of Chasimba location in Kilifi South sub-county are divided over the proposed plans for Sh12.8 billion Mashujaa Cement Company in the area which some argue proper public participation was not undertaken.

A section of the villagers claimed that they were denied a chance to make informed decision saying the proposed cement production project in Chasimba area lacked adequate public participation.

Speaking during a public hearing held by the National Environmental Complaints Committee (NECC) at Chasimba, the residents asked for community engagements and the provision of adequate information regarding the project for consensus purposes.

“There is still so much that needs to be discussed especially matters to do with the environment. We have seen many instances where a project is brought into an area and ends up causing a lot of adverse effects to the residents in the area,” Bishop Ronald Nzai a resident said.

He added that there was a need for the investors to consider all possible critical environmental impacts that will be brought about by the project, and come up with adequate mitigation measures to counter those impacts.

Talking about the recently released Environmental and Social Impact (ESIA) report, the cleric pointed out that the residents were not consulted before the preparation and release of the report, stating the need for transparency from the company.

He further noted that the project had the potential to disrupt peace in the area because of the conflicted opinions on the subject and disputes over selling land to the company.

“We need to sit down and identify parts of this project that need to be rectified, once they are rectified we can then decide as a community whether the project can proceed or not,” he said.

Another resident Tindai Mtana while citing the effects Mombasa and Bamburi Cement factories had caused in their respective locations, asked for the company’s assurance that all possible environmental effects would be considered before setting up the cement plant in that area.

“We are not refusing investors, what we are asking is you give us an investment that will improve our livelihoods; that will do more good than harm to the people in this area”, Mtana remarked.

Former area Chief Rachael Dzombo however urged the residents to support the project stating that it would bring more developmental benefits to the area and create job opportunities for the many unemployed youths.