NRT Statement on Kalama Resource Centre Fire

NRT, and the community members of Kalama Community Conservancy, are deeply saddened and devastated to report that on 14th January 2024, at 18:58 a fire was reported at the Kalama Resource Centre (KRC), 10km north of Archers Post in Samburu County. The KRC is a joint effort between multiple donors and partners to build a conference facility and guest accommodation that will create employment and economic opportunities for an estimated 1,300 people.

Witnesses reported that 30-40 individuals attacked the KRC, assaulting the guards and staff they found on site, destroying property, and then setting fire to the buildings and infrastructure. Over a dozen individuals were beaten and chased away from the site. All have received medical treatment at a nearby hospital and have been released. Fortunately, there have been no fatalities as a result of the incident.

The Kenya Police Service from the Wamba station, and a team from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations, are onsite conducting a thorough investigation. NRT and the Kalama Community Conservancy Board are working closely with law enforcement to support their efforts. Police are investigating local reports that the attackers included, or were incited by, a few individuals upset over a recent change in the selection process of local labourers for the construction of the second phase of the project. 

The project went ahead only after extensive community consultation, including a detailed Free Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) process. A Grievance Mechanism was also put in place. This process found overwhelming community support. Construction began on 3rd December 2022 and at the time of the fire, the project was over 90% complete. Groundbreaking on Phase II occurred on 13th December 2023.