It is with profound sadness that the ACCESS Coalition mourns the passing of Commissioner John Kioli, on 28th September 2026. We extend our deepest condolences to his family, friends, colleagues and the many people whose lives he touched. a valued Board member, champion of civil society, and one of the individuals who contributed meaningfully to the growth and development of ACCESS Coalition.
Commissioner Kioli was part of the journey that shaped ACCESS Coalition into the coalition it is today. Under his leadership as Chairman of the Kenya Climate Change Working Group (KCCWG), ACCESS was hosted and nurtured in its formative years. He later served on our Board, bringing deep expertise in clean energy and climate policy and a firm belief in the power of collective action, local leadership and meaningful participation in shaping a better future.
His contribution went beyond Boardroom conversations. He generously shared his time, knowledge, networks and perspectives as we strengthened the organisation, expanded our membership and worked to amplify the voice of civil society in energy access and development conversations.
He understood that energy access is ultimately about people, about communities having the opportunity to live, work and thrive. That conviction lies at the heart of the vision that continues to guide us: a world where everyone has access to reliable, affordable, safe and sustainable energy to enable inclusive and climate-resilient local development.
Beyond ACCESS, he served Kenya with distinction through the Green Africa Foundation, the UNFCCCclimate negotiations and most recently, the Nairobi Rivers Commission.
As we reflect on his contribution, we are reminded that institutions are built not only through strategies and programmes, but through the people who believe in their purpose and give of themselves to bring that purpose to life.
Commissioner Kioli was one of those people for ACCESS
We are grateful for his service, his counsel, his generosity and his belief in the work we continue to build.
May the Almighty rest his soul in eternal peace and may the vision he helped strengthen continue to guide the work of ACCESS Coalition.
Ms. Jennifer Gitiri, Chairperson, Board of Directors
On behalf of the ACCESS Coalition Board, Secretariat and Members
