Policy makers on sustainable energy now wants parliament to pass energy Bill before the house to enable county governments prepare their master plans on sustainable energy as one of mitigating climate change effects.
The sustainable energy stakeholders aver that county governments are better placed to address energy issues in line with national and global energy agenda since climate change has adverse effects in the rural areas where majority of people reside.
A round table forum organized by Kenya Climate Change Working Group (KCCWG) with a funding from CAFORD in a Kitui hotel stressed the need for a platform for sustainable energy policy makers to promote access and use of clean energy which include enactment of charcoal regulations to promote sustainable charcoal production.
‘’ The natural resource planning is devolved therefore need for empowerment of county policy makers on sustainable energy to address imbalances created by the centralized government and also to highlight Kenya’s progress in the SE4ALL agenda’’, said KCCWG Chief Executive Officer John Kioli.
He said the new energy Bill tabled in parliament if passed will be used to prepare an integrated national energy master plan that will then enable devolved governments to deal with pertinent issues as far as energy is concerned including energy consumption patterns.
Kitui County government CEC member for Enivronment and Natural Resources George Mulatya said the government is partnering with a Japanese green energy firm to construct a shs 6 billion solar power plant in Kitui west sub-county.
He said the multi-billion project that has already been given a green light by the county assembly is the first of its kind in the Country and will generate 40 mega watts of power whose surplus will be connected to the national grip.
