Enchanting Urban Futures through Geothermal Explorations in Nakuru, Kenya

Erik Wamanji, one of the contributors to the first edition of a magazine called Steam, published by the Kenyan state-owned Geothermal Development Company (GDC) quarterly, describes Menengai-a dormant shield volcano just north of Nakuru in Kenya where GDC drills geothermal wells-in the following manner: Menengai-that caldera in the Rift Valley that is heavily woven in eerie lore and myth-is one of the promising spots that will shed light to Kenya.A product of volcanic activities, Menegai has been popular with legend and tourism in equal measure, but now it will earn another title-the "Caldera of Light." However, from a cursory glance of Menengai, one would be forgiven for dismissing it as nothing beyond the aesthetics it offers.Yet, beneath it, lies a treasure trove that will drive and light our country.Thanks to scientific studies, Menengai is said to boast of a geothermal potential estimated at 800 MW. (Wamanji 2010b, 18) Wamanji further describes Menengai as the company's flagship project that will "drive and light" the country.The volcano, he argues, "known for its eerie lore and myth is a place of 'great hopes'" (18)."Science will trounce superstition, " the article reads, and Wamanji concludes that "no one knows what surprises Menengai will pull next, but for sure its legend would go on and on as the GDC turbines start to roll and the green blurbs glitter" (19).This description of Kenya's geothermal business in Nakuru, a second-Pype.