By Monica Nashon & Bertilla Nyanchama
Residents of Nyanturago Wetland in Kisii have opposed a government proposal to relocate a prison facility to the area.
Those opposed to it argue that the project threatens environmental conservation efforts and could deny the community meaningful economic opportunities.
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Speaking on behalf of residents, Thomas Obare who represents the area at the County Assembly of Kisii said locals want development projects that directly uplift the community rather than a correctional facility.
“Nyanturago residents want development that will uplift the community, not a prison,” said Obare.
The MCA revealed that plans by the government to relocate a prison facility to the Nyanturago Forest and Wetland Scheme have already created tension among residents, many of whom want the area preserved and transformed into projects that support education, healthcare and economic growth.
According to Obare, the proposed relocation of Kisii Main Prison is among the reasons conservation and tree-planting activities in the area have slowed down in recent months.
“The government wants affordable housing to be constructed where the current prison stands, then the prison be transferred to Nyanturago Scheme. But local residents want the forest conserved because many of them are actively involved in tree planting and environmental conservation,” he said.
Nyanturago Wetland has in recent years emerged as a key environmental conservation area in Kisii County, attracting support from government agencies and environmental groups involved in restoring degraded sections of the wetland and protecting water catchment areas.
The wetland, considered one of the largest in Kisii County, has suffered years of encroachment, deforestation and environmental degradation caused by human activities.
Despite ongoing restoration programmes, residents fear construction of a prison in the area could interfere with conservation efforts and limit long-term economic opportunities.
Resident Peter Mochama said the government should instead establish a university or technical training institution in the area to stimulate local development.
“A university or polytechnic would bring real benefits to the people. Lecturers and workers would get employment opportunities, farmers would sell milk, vegetables, maize, beans and tomatoes to the institution, and local businesses would grow,” he said.
Mochama added that such institutions would also create opportunities for residents to build rental houses for students and open small businesses selling stationery, snacks, sanitary pads and other necessities.
Another resident, Teresa Moraa, argued that a hospital would have a greater impact on the community than a prison, especially for elderly residents who struggle to access healthcare services in distant towns.
“We have many old people here. A good hospital would help them because they would no longer travel long distances to seek treatment. Healthcare services are more important to this community,” she said.
Residents say the region’s fertile soils and favourable climate make it suitable for agricultural and development projects capable of boosting the local economy rather than isolating the community.
A local youth leader, Kevin Nyabuto, expressed concern that the proposed prison would generate limited economic benefits for local residents.
“If the government brings a prison here, residents will not benefit much because everything will be done internally by prison authorities. They will have their own farms, grow vegetables, keep cows and goats for milk, and even produce their own food. So how will the community benefit?” he posed.
Nyabuto maintained that institutions such as universities, colleges and hospitals would create stronger links between the community and development.
Environmental activists have also raised concerns over the future of the wetland if major infrastructure projects are introduced before restoration efforts are completed.
Recent conservation programmes at Nyanturago have focused on planting indigenous trees and restoring degraded parts of the wetland as part of Kenya’s wider climate action strategy.
Nyanturago has recently attracted attention from both government agencies and conservation groups because of its importance as a water catchment and wetland ecosystem.
As debate over the proposed prison project continues, many residents insist that the future of Nyanturago should prioritise environmental conservation, education, healthcare and economic empowerment instead of correctional facilities.
