Energy & Electrification

Energy & Electrification in Machakos County
Before Devolution
Current Scenario
Impact of Lighting & Rural Electrification
Roles & Functions of Energy and Electrification
Energy & Electrification in Machakos County
Kenya, like all African countries, focused on poverty alleviation at independence, perhaps due to the level of vulnerability of its populations but also as a result of the ‘trickle down’ economic discourses of the time since as the country grew richer, this wealth would trickle down to benefit the poorest sections of society. In recent years though, social dimensions such as levels of access to education, clean water and energy are important in assessing people’s quality of life.
The energy sector remains a critical enabler for achieving Kenya’s socio – economic objectives, and has been identified as a key input towards achievement of sustainable development in the National Policy Framework
Following the expiry of the Economic Recovery Strategy (2003-2007), Kenya’s Development Agenda is now anchored on the Kenya Vision 2030, which aims at creating “a globally competitive and prosperous country with a high quality of life by 2030”. It aims to transform Kenya into “a newly –industrialized, middle-income country providing a high quality of life to all its citizens in a clean and secure environment”. Energy will be the enabler for development.
The department of energy & electrification under the ministry of energy & electrification, lands & physical planning, urban development & planning is mandated to carry out the following; Street lighting (lighting of roads and streets), flood lighting (lighting of markets) and rural electrification (Installation of transformers).
The department focuses on enabling and enhancing a safe, secure business environment through rural electrification, lighting of markets and street lighting.
Under the leadership of H.E Dr. Alfred Mutua the county has embraced renewable energy & so far has installed 753 solar integrated streetlights.
There also exists a draft energy policy. In order to provide a holistic approach to sustainable and clean energy issues that meets the obligations of climate change response, the policy has addressed itself to the following Eight (8) Policy concerns:

Ensuring universal access to clean energy by residents to Machakos County
Promoting development of renewable energy sources e.g. solar
Enhancing energy efficiency practices in the county e.g. implementing energy audits
Providing effective policy and legal framework for clean waste management e.g. waste to energy
Providing a framework for implementing and financing the County Clean Energy Program

Before Devolution

130 streetlights in Machakos& Athi River town
28 floodlights implemented under Nairobi Metropolitan across the county.

Current Scenario

Floodlights-1,027
Streetlights-2,441
Rural Electrification-7,200 households electrified

Impact of Lighting & Rural Electrification

Less accidents experienced in Kyumbi-Machakos Road.
Less muggings & theft of shops in markets with installed mulika mwizi as opposed to those without.
Little investments in markets with no electricity as opposed to those with electricity
Increased trading hours.
Less spending in homes that use electricity as opposed to those that use paraffin
Improved performance in rural schools

Roles & Functions of Energy and Electrification

Lighting of roads, streets and markets
Repair and maintenance of commissioned street lights and floodlights
County Rural electrification
Enforcement county & national energy policies
Support/ Create awareness and implement Renewable energy/ Green energy initiatives
County energy policy formulation & implementation.
Development of county energy management plans
Mobilization of funding for renewable energy, energy efficiency & conservation projects
Partner with various Stakeholders in service delivery

Contact Details of Key Personnel

Newton Musyoka Muinde

Chief Officer – Energy & Electrification

Phone: +254 703 779605
Email:nmuinde@machakosgovernment.co.ke