Moi Family's Sosian Energy Loses Geothermal License In Kenya

The Moi family's energy venture faces setbacks despite previous strides in Kenyas renewable energy sector.

Kenyas High Court revokes Sosian Energys drilling license for Menengai Geothermal Project, halting exploration and drilling operations.

Court ruling follows local residents' concerns over environmental risks and inadequate consultation by Sosian Energy.

The Moi family, recognized as Kenya's second-largest landowners and one of the countrys richest and most influential families, has encountered a setback. The familys energy company, Sosian Energy, has been ordered to cease drilling operations at the Menengai Geothermal Project following a Kenyan court's decision to revoke its exploration and drilling license.

The decision came on March 17, when High Court Judge Milicent Odeny ruled that the companys Environmental Impact Assessment EIA licenseissued by the National Environment Management Authority NEMAwas invalid.

NEMAs decision granting Sosian Energy Limited an Environmental Impact Assessment Licence No. NEMA/EIA/PSL/1003 is hereby set aside and License cancelled, Justice Odeny declared, dealing a significant blow to Sosian Energy, the only Kenyan-owned company involved in geothermal development at Menengai.

The license had allowed the company to drill thermal gradient holes and exploration wells up to 2.7 kilometers deep in Nakuru County. But local residents had raised concerns from the start. Back in 2021, members of the Menengai West Stakeholders Forum filed a petition claiming they had not been properly consulted before the project began.

They called for Sosians permit to be revoked and pushed for a fresh, more thorough environmental review. While the National Environment Tribunal dismissed their petition in 2023, it did direct the company to carry out a Climate Impact Assessment within two yearsa move that acknowledged the depth of public concern.