UPDATE FROM THE GROUND 26.12.2014

1. Nature Kenya has written a letter of thanks to CAMAC for ceasing work in the Arabuko Sokoke Forest but stressing displeasure at the fact that CAMAC still believes it followed due process and that 2D seismic surveys would not have any adverse effect on the forest and its inhabitants. The letter also clearly asks that CAMAC steer clear off all ecological sites within Block L16 including Malindi – Watamu Marine National Parks and Reserves, Gede National Monument, Matsangoni caves, Sabaki river mouth, Kaya Kauma and other kaya forests, and Dakacha Woodland.

2. BGP and CAMAC continue their work on community lands despite Governor’s request for them to lay down tools and hold an intensive public stakeholder consultation and submit a new ESIA before proceeding. We will be gathering facts on exactly where and when this is all happening.

3. Two transects in Block L16 are almost finished.

4. Meetings between ASFADA, CAMAC and BGP is taking place today. There was also a meeting yesterday with all the community forest association and county representation wherein the following was agreed:
a. The ESIA would be redone to allow inclusion of the concerns raised by the community and stakeholders.
b. The Community Liaison Officer for this project is to be replaced because he has demonstrated lack of respect for the community and misled CAMAC Energy and BGP in this flawed process.
c. Compensation protocol is to be standardized and agreed upon before-hand.
d. Armed, uniformed policemen must not be used in the community because it tends to intimidate community.
e. There should be no prospecting/surveying work in the following ecosystems
• Arabuko-Sokoke Forest
• Mida Creek
• Sabaki Estuary
• Malindi and Watamu Marine National Parks
• Dakatcha Community Conserved Areas
• Kaya Chivara
• Kaya Kauma

5. At least one of the transects is directly on the boundary of Arabuko Sokoke Forest Reserve. Any detonation here will still affect the inhabitants of the forest including the elephant and the elephant shrew.

THIS ISSUE IS BY NO MEANS LAID TO REST. PLEASE SHARE and KEEP RAISING AWARENESS AND YOUR VOICES.