Conflicting injustices in decolonization and indigenous land rights: The case of the Lake Turkana Wind Power project

Abstract

This study examines the injustices faced by Indigenous peoples when they are not clearly recognized in green energy investments, taking the Lake Turkana Wind Power (LTWP) project in Kenya as a case study. The Indigeneity of Lake Turkana's self-identified Indigenous communities is deeply rooted in their ancestral lands. However, Kenya's ambiguity in categorizing Indigenous peoples and its detachment from international frameworks such as ILO 169 contribute to the perpetuation of energy injustices. The LTWP consortium exploits this ambiguity to detach itself from claims of “illegal” land acquisition. Meanwhile, the affected communities face fragmentation, restricted mobility, and involuntary resettlement. This research, grounded in decoloniality and pluriversalism approach, highlights the dynamics of symbolic attachment and detachment that influence Indigenous energy justice and land rights. By recognizing multiple ways of knowing and being, it argues for a decolonial shift that respects Indigenous sovereignty and integrates their perspectives into sustainable development frameworks. This study underscores the necessity of respecting Indigenous rights as a pathway toward achieving true justice and sustainability in energy projects.