Turkana: The Turkana County Department of Energy and Petroleum has initiated discussions with a development partner, GIZ, aimed at advancing energy access and distribution under a project targeting refugees and host communities.
According to Kenya News Agency, the meeting focused on the ‘Supporting the Implementation of the Shirika Plan to Strengthen the Socio-Economic Inclusion of Refugees and Host Communities (SISI-RH)’ project, funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and implemented by GIZ in collaboration with the Government of Kenya. The initiative seeks to enhance socio-economic self-reliance among youth in refugee-hosting areas by strengthening government capacity and improving access to sustainable energy and livelihood opportunities.
Speaking during the meeting, project leader Vellary Valerie emphasized that collaboration with the county government would be key to aligning the project with local priorities. ‘We believe your insights will be instrumental
in ensuring the project responds effectively to the needs of both refugees and host communities,’ she said.
County Director of Energy Jackson Lojore outlined priority areas, including the expansion of renewable energy and clean cooking technologies. He noted that while progress has been made in solarizing public institutions such as health centres and schools, challenges remain in scaling up clean cooking solutions like biogas and LPG. ‘As a predominantly pastoralist community, we are working to transition households from traditional three-stone cooking to cleaner energy options,’ Lojore said.
Lojore also highlighted the need for investment in wind power, capacity building for technical staff, and stronger public-private partnerships to support mini-grid development and affordable energy access. He added that while the county has an approved energy policy, limited resources have slowed its full implementation. He called for support in strengthening data systems to improve energy planning.
Deputy Director o
f Energy, Geoffrey Eregae, noted that a majority of residents still rely on firewood and other traditional fuels, exposing them to health risks. ‘Reducing reliance on biomass energy requires sustained collaboration and targeted interventions in clean energy adoption,’ he said, adding that the department is prioritizing awareness and partnerships to accelerate the transition.
The meeting underscored the importance of coordinated efforts between government and development partners in expanding sustainable energy access and improving livelihoods in Turkana’s refugee-hosting areas.
