Evaluation of the effectiveness of environmental and social impact assessment in conflict identification and prevention for renewable energy projects in Kenya

Abstract

Conflicts that arise before and during implementation of various projects as reported in various countries including Kenya are due to various reasons including; inappropriate application of Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) procedures. This study evaluated effectiveness of ESIA in conflict identification and prevention for renewable energy projects. Objectives of the study were to determine how application of ESIA process, quality of ESIA report, resources invested during ESIA and individual/social norms affected conflict identification and prevention. The study used descriptive research design with probability, purposeful and simple random sampling techniques. Research tools used were structured questionnaires, tally sheets and collation sheets. ESIA practitioners were randomly sampled from a list maintained by the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) excluding those registered but lacked a valid practicing license. Respondents from the ministries of environment and energy and civil society groups were purposefully sampled and the sample disaggregated based on individual experience in renewable energy projects. Data analysis was by Statistical Package for Social Sciences. Cumulative odds ordinal logistic regression analysed ESIA dimensions of procedural, transactive and normative effectiveness while descriptive statistics and Somers' delta test analysed ESIA dimension of substantive effectiveness. Statistical testing for significance was perfonned at 95% confidence. Results showed 48% of ESIA practitioners, 46% of civil society, 31% by NEMA and 29% by Ministry of Energy respondents stated that public participation was ineffective in substantively contributing to environmental decisions. Quality of 7% of ESIA reports for geothennal energy projects was excellent, 20% good, 53% acceptable while l3% was poor. Quality of 18% of ESIA reports for wind energy projects was good, 55% acceptable and l8% poor. Correlation between public participation and quality of ESIA reports was strong and positive. Significant procedural effectiveness variable attributes were public participation, decision making, project implementation and monitoring. Significant transactive effectiveness variable attributes were time, financial resource, skill, experience and specification of roles. Significant nonnative effectiveness variable attributes were healthy quality life, institutional policy choices and adjustment of policy on normative goals. To align public participation during ESIA to intemational best practices, a review of Kenya’s ESIA system in genral and regulations in specific should be done. Continuous, relevant and focused training to all carder of ESIA practitioners should be mandatory. Guidelines on sector specific ESlAexacution timelines should be developed and implemented