SERC

In the push toward achieving Kenya’s Vision 2030, energy is more than just a necessity. It’s a cornerstone of development. But how do we ensure our energy systems are resilient, inclusive, and sustainable? This question took center stage during a three-day workshop in Makueni County, organized by the Strathmore Energy Research Centre in collaboration with Climate Compatible Growth (CCG), the Council of Governors, and UK PACT Kenya.

This gathering brought together County Executive Committee Members (CECMs) and energy directors from across Kenya, fostering a dynamic peer-to-peer learning environment focused on crafting energy plans, managing data, and building climate resilience.

The workshop, a follow-up to a similar session held in June 2024, took place against the backdrop of Makueni’s recently launched 10-year energy plan and solarization project. Developed in partnership with Strathmore University, the World Resources Institute (WRI), and UK PACT, the project has set a benchmark for best practices in County Energy Planning (CEP). The aim was to equip participants with practical insights into the productive use of renewable energy and integrated national energy planning.

As the workshop began, Makueni’s Governor, H.E. Mutula Kilonzo Jr. made a passionate appeal to the delegates saying “Our counties are not in competition; we are learning from each other’s successes and setbacks. The focus must be on translating policy into action thus creating real, tangible results that benefit our communities.” This message resonated deeply, setting a collaborative tone for the days that followed.

Representatives from Makueni, Meru, Nakuru, Turkana, and Kilifi counties that have successfully developed and launched their energy plans shared their journeys. They detailed their challenges, funding models, and strategies in line with the Energy Act of 2019, which mandates counties to update their energy plans every 3-5 years.

Sebastian Kyoni, Makueni’s CECM for Infrastructure, Transport, Public Works, Housing, and Energy highlighted the importance of engaging communities and the county assembly right from the start. He emphasized that public participation and stakeholder collaboration were crucial to the plan’s success, which has already brought tangible benefits like the solarization of Makueni Referral Hospital.

A key focus of the workshop was on building a robust framework for energy data management. Samia Said from University College London (UCL) and Martin Mutembei from Strathmore University revisited the resolutions of the June workshop, providing updates on progress and setting the stage for the workshop’s next steps. Participants also had the opportunity to engage with a prototype energy data repository, a cloud-based tool designed to support integrated energy planning. This innovation, praised for its user-friendliness, promises to streamline the process of data collection, analysis, and validation, making energy planning more effective and inclusive.

Throughout the workshop, the emphasis on peer-to-peer learning and co-creation remained strong. The session on Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) in energy planning sparked lively discussions, shedding light on how counties can integrate these considerations into every step of their planning. This ranged from data collection and analysis to public participation. Partners like Practical Action, WRI, SNV Netherlands, and the Ministry of Energy & Petroleum highlighted the importance of such collaborative approaches, noting how they are critical for scaling up successful initiatives across counties.

However, the journey is not without challenges. Victor Otieno from the World Resources Institute noted that political dynamics often pose hurdles in the approval process for energy plans, with the relationship between governors and county assemblies playing a pivotal role. Despite these obstacles, the workshop set a clear path forward. Participants left with a commitment to refine the Comprehensive Knowledge Archive Network (CKAN) based energy data repository, increase political stakeholder engagement, and promote a whole energy system model (WESM) that aligns county ambitions with national goals.

As the curtains closed on the workshop, it was evident that the counties were no longer working in isolation but were united in their mission to build a resilient and inclusive energy future. The lessons learned and the partnerships forged in Makueni will undoubtedly shape the next chapter of energy planning in Kenya, bringing the country closer to its sustainable development goals.

Under the beautiful blue skies of Makueni, and in the presence of the Governor of Makueni County, H.E Mutula Kilonzo Jnr. CBS and the British Deputy High Commissioner, Dr. Ed. Barnett, local leaders and the community, an innovative ten-year clean energy plan for Makueni County was unveiled on 17th September 2024. This marks a significant milestone after years of joint effort between the Government of Makueni County, the UK Partnering for Accelerated Climate Transitions (UKPACT), Strathmore University, through Strathmore Energy Research Centre and World Resources Institute.

During the launch, H.E Mutula Kilonzo reminded the community of the ten-point agenda that was set out when he took office with one being developing a County Energy Plan among the key priority areas set.

“This plan speaks to our soul as a government and community. My dream is to see a County powered by clean, sustainable, reliable and affordable energy. The plan we are launching today holds the potential to reshape our future energy landscape. It not only ensures energy access to households across the county, but also electrification of schools and healthcare facilities, value addition for agricultural produce, powering water for domestic and agricultural use, and cold chain infrastructure to increase the shelf-life of our produce,” affirmed Governor Mutula.

The County Energy Plan was data-driven, incorporating comprehensive information on current and potential energy consumers, existing access levels, prevailing challenges, and the diverse energy needs across Makueni County. Both qualitative and quantitative data were employed, with surveys collecting quantitative data from various entities including households (n=634), businesses (n=394), healthcare facilities (n=55), and educational institutions (n=365). 

Energy modelling tools such as the Energy Access Explorer, Kobo Tool Box, and Stata among others were utilized to identify cost-effective solutions for universal electricity access and clean cooking, while a bioenergy balance was developed to assess the sustainability of biomass consumption in Makueni County.

“The launch of the Makueni County’s first-ever County Energy Plan not only highlights the County’s commitment to sustainable energy solutions but also underscores the UK and Kenya’s shared ambition to drive economic growth and improve livelihoods through clean energy,” said Dr. Ed Barnett, British Deputy High Commissioner.

Indeed, the Government of Makueni has emerged a champion of energy added Dr. Churchill Saoke, Director, Strathmore Energy Research Centre. He reiterated his gratitude to the Governor and his team for constantly being at the forefront during the development process.

The unveiling of the County Energy Plan comes a month after the county commissioned a state of the art 200 Kilowatts On-Grid Solar PV project that has begun saving precious lives by ensuring access to energy by all patients using Makueni Referral Level IV hospital as well as save the hospital approximately Kshs. 7 million annually in power costs.

Makueni is now one of the few counties in Kenya to have a fully developed County Energy Plan. This plan aligns closely with the Energy Act of 2019, which requires counties to develop and update energy plans every 3-5 years.

Article written by: Anne Njeri, Communications Officer, Strathmore Energy Research Centre.