In summary
- Kenya’s Energy Act of 2019 has the potential to shift the paradigm only if all of the sector players form partnerships geared towards financing, implementation and proper legislative processes that factor in the needs of the energy-poor.
- Partnerships should be fostered between CSOs and the government to advance and support inclusive and integrated energy plans at the national and county level.
- Countrywide survey and a resource assessment of all renewable energy resources will set the stage for extensive exploitation of renewable resources to meet Kenyas’ energy needs and requirements.
In partnership with SEforALL’s People-Centered Accelerator, the ACCESS Coalition held a workshop in November 18-19, 2019 in Nairobi Kenya. The workshop brought together stakeholders involved in the implementation of an inclusive, integrated vision of energy access – spanning grid and off-grid electricity and clean cooking.
Kenya’s SEforALL action agenda outlines how the country will achieve its ambitious goals of universal access to electricity by 2022 and clean cooking fuels and technologies by 2030. ACCESS members, partners and other CSOs have continued to support and work in partnership with governments by providing valuable data, advising on policy formulation and demonstrating solutions to secure last-mile energy solutions including how to overcome investment barriers in inclusive energy service planning and delivery. Despite this collaborative approach, Kenya – as is the case of many other African countries – is not on track to achieve its SEforALL/SDG 7 targets.
The stakeholders comprised of national government officials from Kenya’s Ministry of Energy, sub-national government leaders, CSOs in energy and nexus CSOs. They interrogated the recently enacted Energy Act of 2019 and its implications on energy provision in Kenya. Specifically looking at how county-level governments in Kenya can be supported to develop their energy plans using an inclusive, Integrated Energy Pathway (IEP) approach, (addressing both grid and off-grid electricity as well as clean cooking) to accelerate the achievement of SEforALL/ SDG7 targets.
Speaking during the event, Jacqueline Kimeu, the ACCESS coordinator noted, “The Energy Act of 2019 consolidated the entire laws relating to energy sector development in Kenya, and provides a framework for the devolution of the provision of energy services to the grassroots level.”
During the intensive two-day sessions the participants probed the existing capacity-building efforts at the national and county level on energy access and integration into cross-sectoral development planning. Besides outlining the coordination and resources needed, the workshop pointed out potential opportunities within county energy plans and identify areas in which CSOs could collaborate to advance SDG 7.
The government leaders affirmed their commitment to collaborating with the CSOs to advance energy access in Kenya. As noted by Paul Mbuthi, Deputy Director, Ministry of Energy in Kenya, the country has the right instruments in place. Partnerships with government and CSOs needs to take place within the provision of the frameworks provided. He reiterated “The law provides for modalities of engagement. Opportunities to engage must be created within this framework. CSOs need to identify these opportunities and keep abreast on what is happening at the national level.”
Reaching the underserved
In Kenya, low-income households, located off the grid, in rural areas, spend more than 20% of their total income on energy. It is paramount that the government invests in affordable energy solutions that reach everyone. Caroline McGregor from SEforALL affirmed this commitment during her presentation, “Achieving SDG7 and ‘leaving no one behind’ solutions must be designed to respond to the needs of the poorest and most marginalized in society –those who would get left behind when business is conducted as usual.”
The Act also empowers county governments to build local renewable energy centers in collaboration with the Rural Electrification and Renewable Energy Corporation (REREC) REREC. This creates the platform for technology transfer and technology development assuring counties of energy independence in the long run. Stakeholders were encouraged to work with these energy centres to offer context-specific programs.
You can download the Energy Act Analysis report here.