In the wake of the recent prolonged nationwide power blackout lasting nearly 20 hours, there are growing calls for Kenya to transition towards a more liberalised power distribution model in order to effectively address the recurring power outages that have been tarnishing the nation’s reputation.
Tetu MP Geoffrey Wandeto has strongly advocated for this shift, highlighting the need to diversify power utility providers to enhance the country’s energy resilience.
Wandeto, speaking in response to the disruptive blackout that occurred last Friday, emphasized that Kenya must swiftly move away from its current reliance on a near-monopoly held by Kenya Power in the electricity supply sector.
He deemed this monopolistic arrangement as overly ambitious and risky, stressing that it must be revamped to prevent future major power crises.
During a televised breakfast show on Citizen TV, Wandeto questioned the sustainability of the country’s power grid under the existing structure.
Drawing a parallel with the telecommunications industry’s evolution, he highlighted the drawbacks of relying on a single distributor, as experienced when Kenya depended on a sole telephone operator.
Wandeto emphasized that liberalising power distribution has become a long-overdue imperative. He proposed that if there were multiple power companies like Kenya Power, one could step in to maintain service during an outage of another.
Wandeto also expressed his support for the ongoing state investigation into the causes of the recent power outage. He urged against premature speculation, asserting that accountability should be upheld for any lapses that contributed to the incident, to avert its recurrence.
The power outage of last Friday had a substantial impact on the nation, nearly grinding businesses, medical facilities, multinationals, and major airports to a halt as they scrambled for alternative power sources. Kenya Power attributed the blackout to a “system disturbance” that led to the loss of bulk power supply at the Lake Turkana Wind Power plant.
In addition to advocating for diversified power distribution, Wandeto highlighted the importance of investing in alternative energy sources beyond hydroelectric power.
He pointed out the vulnerabilities of relying solely on hydroelectric power, given the unpredictability of climate-induced changes and technical failures.
He suggested that electricity and solar power should play pivotal roles in Kenya’s development agenda, underscoring their reliability and their alignment with the nation’s goal of achieving newly industrialized status by 2030.
Wandeto emphasized the need to transition away from petroleum-based energy sources. He noted that Kenya possesses abundant renewable energy sources, with 87 percent of its energy derived from such sources.
He suggested transitioning to electric vehicles and motorcycles to decrease reliance on oil and bolster the country’s sustainability.
He also highlighted the potential for reduced costs, such as lower food prices after an impending maize harvest.
Against the backdrop of these energy challenges and opportunities, Kenya is gearing up to host the inaugural Africa Climate Summit, scheduled from September 4 to September 6.
The summit aims to foster a unified continental approach to addressing climate issues, as articulated in The Nairobi Declaration, ahead of the upcoming COP28 in UAE.
Concurrently, the African Climate Week, set to run from September 4 to September 8, will offer a platform for diverse stakeholders to exchange insights on climate solutions, barriers, and regional accomplishments.
One key aspect of the discussions will be the shift from fossil fuels to green energy, aligned with efforts to combat the adverse impacts of global warming.
The summit is anticipated to host more than 14,000 participants from 136 countries, including 20 African heads of state and representatives from international organizations and civil society.
Distinguished figures such as President William Ruto and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres are expected to address the summit, which revolves around the theme of “Driving Green Growth and Climate Finance Solutions for Africa and the World.”
