Civil society groups in Lamu county has filed a petition with the Office of the President demanding the suspension of the multi-billion shillings port project until the government shares all the information on the proposed development with the local communities. The petition signed by 1,000 people from 46 villages in Lamu together with 700 national and international organisations also want the government to facilitate a comprehensive environmental impact assessment to be carried out by independent experts.

It was addressed to President Kibaki, who is expected to officially launch the port project in February. The petition is dated January 24, 2012 and signed by the chairman of Save Lamu Abubakar El-Amudy. In the petition the signatories are asking the government to undertake a participatory process with the local communities involved in the planning and implementation of the proposed project.

El-Amudy also told the authorities to investigate and address the Land rights violations against indigenous communities in Lamu before further development plans are inaugurated. They accused the government of failing to protect their rights to access information, the right to a clean and healthy environment and land. "We anticipate that based on your responsibility towards our natural resources rights as citizens of Kenya, you will support our cause and direct the respective government bodies to act in accordance with the laws of Kenya by carrying out a consultative process in the implementation of the Lapsset project," the petition says.

On Tuesday this week Transport PS Dr Cyrus Njiru was accosted by angry protesters carrying placards demanding an explanation over the matter. He, however, said nothing could stop the project and accused some individuals of inciting the locals to oppose the project to advance their personal interests.