Powering Turkana County: A new energy blueprint that is sparking transformation in the region

Stakeholders at one of the consultation forums held during the development of the Turkana County Energy Policy. Picture courtesy.

Turkana County in Kenya, known for its arid landscape and history of drought, is transforming. This change is being driven by a new push by the County Government, in partnership with various stakeholders, to tap the vast renewable energy resources. This is expected to increase residents’ access to electricity, including refugees hosted at Kakuma Refugee Camp and Kalobeyei Integrated Settlement.

The strategic partnership with the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) is one major collaboration in advancing the County Government's energy access vision. This is through BMZ’s globally commissioned program “Support to UNHCR in facilitating the operationalization of the Global Compact on Refugees in the Humanitarian-Development-Peace Nexus” (SUN), which is implemented in Kenya as the Energy Solutions for Displacement Settings (ESDS) Project.

The ESDS project underscores the vital connection between energy access and sustainable development, particularly in displacement settings. Turkana County, hosting around 37% of the refugees and asylum seekers in Kenya, faces unique challenges in energy provision including limited energy infrastructure, alternative fuels or technologies, and relatively high electricity costs from often unregulated diesel operators.

In response to these challenges, GIZ partnered with the Turkana County Government under the ESDS Project to finalise a five-year County Energy Sector Plan as provided for in Kenya’s Energy Act of 2019. The project collaborated with UNHCR, to integrate the Kalobeyei Integrated Socio-Economic Development Plan (KISEDP) into the County Energy Plan. All County Plans are expected to be integrated into the National Energy Plan. The integration of Turkana’s Energy Plan will be unique, as it would contribute to the integration of refugees’ energy needs at both local and national levels paving the way for necessary budgetary considerations.

KISEDP, a multi-year initiative in Turkana West, aims at integrating refugees and host communities into a shared settlement, moving away from the traditional model of refugee encampment. It focuses on managing the presence of refugees in a manner that benefits both the refugees and the local population.

Developing comprehensive energy policy and legal frameworks

The ESDS project has been instrumental in developing comprehensive energy policy and legal frameworks for Turkana County, considering the needs of both displaced populations and host communities.

The project worked with the County Government to develop its Energy Policy in 2022 and draft the Turkana Energy Bill and proposed regulations in 2024. These initiatives aimed to boost institutional capacity, advocate for renewable energy solutions, and integrate energy considerations into broader development planning. There was also an emphasis on the need for inclusive and sustainable energy strategies in regions with complex socio-economic dynamics. In developing the frameworks, there were wide stakeholder engagements across all sub-counties of Turkana.

The Turkana County Policy is expected to promote renewable energy technologies, improve energy efficiency, and ensure equitable access to energy services. Enactment of the legal framework will provide sustainable laws and regulations for managing the local energy sector and ensure equitable distribution of resources across all sub-counties, benefiting both refugees and local communities. It also provides for clear mechanisms for operationalising               the devolved functions of electricity and gas reticulation within the county, and licensing procedures among other guidelines.

Ms Leah Audan Lokala, the County Executive Committee Member (CECM) in charge of Tourism, Culture, Natural Resources, and Climate Change said the County Government’s executive has approved the Energy Policy and Bill. She added that the two documents have been forwarded to Turkana County Assembly for further processing.

“This legal framework will enable the County Government to effectively manage the energy sector,” she said.

Ms Lokala emphasised that the policy and legal frameworks had considered the energy needs of refugees, recognising their vulnerability and the need for them to have equal access to energy benefits. She also said the frameworks would see the County prioritise renewable energy to drive its development agenda.

Establishment of Turkana County Energy Database

Through a partnership with Turkana University College, the County Government has developed its first-ever Energy Database as provided for by the fifth schedule of the Energy Act. The web-based platform and offline database represent a significant advancement in data management and transparency within the county’s energy sector.

The database contains information such as the number of households and businesses with access to energy by sub-counties, the resources available in the county, existing energy service providers, or ongoing projects by various stakeholders. At the same time, the database allows different partners to submit energy data on the platform for verification and external publication.

“GIZ partnered with us in developing the database. We now want to ensure that it operates smoothly and is frequently updated to benefit the people of Turkana,” said Ms Lokala.

She emphasised the database’s critical role in ensuring the County Government has an all-around view of the energy sector. It will also offer essential information to development partners and investors, showcasing investment opportunities in the county’s abundant yet untapped renewable energy resources, including solar, wind, and hydropower.

Ms Lokala noted that the database would enable the County “to monitor, evaluate, manage, and exercise control in the energy sector.”