Kenya’s Mission 300 plan to power every household is being questioned again, as civil society and disability rights groups demand that the country’s clean energy agenda be transparent, fair, and inclusive.
At a workshop held in Naivasha to deliberate on implementation of the National Energy Compact 2025-2030, the representatives stressed that without intentional planning, marginalized groups – especially persons with disabilities and women in rural areas – will inevitably be left behind in Kenya’s green transition.
The workshop convened representatives from civil society organizations, policy experts, and personnel from the most vulnerable groups to discuss the implementation of the new compact, which is in line with Mission 300 initiative by the World Bank and African Development Bank – a bold move aimed at providing electricity to 300 million Africans by 2030.
The meeting was also informed by a report from civil society organizations that warned energy transition in Kenya could be a source of inequality if clean energy investments fail to reach the deprived segments of the society.
The report stressed that it is very important that funding allocations, infrastructure development, and energy access programs should be inclusive and driven by the community.
The stakeholders further appealed to the government to reduce electricity tariffs, increase off-grid and renewable energy solutions in hard-to-reach areas, and ensure that there is accurate data on persons with disabilities that is used for national energy planning and monitoring frameworks.
Besides, they insisted on more effective communication among government, financiers, and local communities to not only ensure that Kenya’s transition to clean energy is in line with international environmental goals but also that it promotes social justice and equal opportunities for all citizens.
