Kisumu County Government in partnership with ICLEI Africa Secretariat organized a two-day workshop on 100%RE Community Visioning, Target Setting and Action Planning as from10th to 11th of February, under the 100% Renewables Cities and Regions Roadmap (100% RE) project, at the Grand Royal Swiss Hotel in Kisumu
The project is a global initiative supporting governments at a national and local level in promoting the shift towards 100% renewable energy strategies in Kenya, Indonesia and Argentina. The countries will serve as lighthouses to other regions by demonstrating that a green future is possible with a shift to 100% renewable energy.
In Kenya, three Counties have been selected for support namely: Kisumu, Nakuru and Mombasa. Of the three Counties, the County Government of Kisumu is the deep dive/pilot County while the County Governments of Mombasa and Nakuru are the network Counties.
As the deep dive city, Kisumu will receive focused attention to achieve the goal of meeting all local energy demands in the residential and industrial sectors through renewable energy.
The workshop is a key part of the process towards the development of a roadmap for Kisumu County which will aid the potential transition pathways towards 100% RE for the County. The focus was on three main sectors: electricity, cooking and transport.
The aim of the workshop is to undertake the foundational work in terms of developing a renewable energy transition vision for the County; setting SMART (specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and Time Bound) sectoral targets; identifying and prioritizing actions; and identifying barriers and enablers needed to enhance the 100% RE transition process for the County
The workshop which took a multi stakeholder approach with participants from national and local government, the community and local non-governmental organization (NGO) groups that are essential in the development, consultation and ownership process, had its deliberations in the form of a hybrid two-day event with the first day dedicated to visioning and target setting, and action planning for the second day.
Speaking while officially opening the workshop, the CECM for trade, Energy and Industrialization, Mr Dixon Obungu commended ICLEI Africa for their immense support noting that Kenya Vision 2030 recognizes energy as one of the key foundations for its social, economic and political pillars.
He reiterated that energy affects all aspects of development such as access to health, water, agricultural production, industrial productivity, education, environmental conservation among other vital services which improve quality of life. He said sustainable, affordable and clean energy for all citizens is a realization of the Vision 2030 and a contributor to climate change mitigation.
Concerning the current economic challenges facing Kisumu County and the entire Country, he stated that there is increasing energy crises that calls for a switch to clean energy. He said administrations with energy production investments will ensure mainstreaming of cross cutting issues such as climate change mitigation and empowerment of women, youth and PWDs.
The CECM affirmed the County’s commitment to increasing a conducive environment and enabling policies that provide framework to guide the county, development partners, private sectors and public institutions in limiting greenhouse gas emissions.
The county has developed a sustainable energy Policy awaiting cabinet approval, it is expected to provide a framework to ensure promotion and adoption of sustainable energy at the household and institutional level.
The County Minister urged Kisumu residents to take advantage of the functional Kisumu County Climate Change Policy and Act to request for projects. The County is also in the process of developing a County Energy Plan to allow collaborations towards delivering sustainable energy for all.
The 100%RE project, he said aims to support the County to implement the local climate Act by developing a roadmap to facilitate 100% RE and achievement of policies including enhanced energy security, efficiency and job creation as outlined in Governor Nyong’o’s 10-point transformative agenda No. 8.
Following the project’s inception meeting with the County Government of Kisumu in March 2020, that led to the signing of an MoU, ICLEI Africa, in collaboration with the Project Implementation Team (PIT) and the County Government of Kisumu, have been able to collect and analyze data that was used to conduct an energy system modelling for the County, identifying transitions pathways for the cooking, electricity and transport sectors of the County.
Mr Nzioki from the State department of Energy said it was pleasing to have the project reach its peak. He affirmed that Kisumu has been supportive and proactive, adding that the action plan will inform the Integrated National Energy planning.
While officially closing the session, the Chief Officer Energy and Industrialization, Mr. Joseph Oganga thanked all the partners: ICLEI, SNV, Practical Action, Expertise France, Kenya power, EPRA, Mombasa County, Nakuru county among others for walking the journey with Kisumu.
He said the workshop session was a learning experience and that the county supports the project, through political good will evident by the Governor signing of the MoU.
The facilitators were: Carine Buma, Ms. Sharin 9ICLEI Africa), Mr. Justus Munyoki (SusWatch Kenya)
By: Emily Mikwa
