This archive report was first published on 26 August 2019.
Kenya Electricity Generating Company (KenGen) has embarked on a groundbreaking initiative to involve local communities in its decision-making processes. This move aims to promote community-friendly operations by adopting practices tailored to the needs of the local population.
As part of this program, KenGen will assess the cultural and economic appropriateness of its projects to protect local culture and lifestyle, avoiding conflicts like the contested Kinangop Wind Power Park. The program also focuses on capacity building through various projects, including school infrastructure development, scholarships for needy students, and provision of clean drinking water through water purification plants.
Joshua Choge, KenGen's board chairman, emphasized the importance of community engagement in the success of operations. He noted that this approach will not only benefit the local communities but also contribute to the organization's business sustainability strategy.
Through proactive consultation and engagement with communities across the country, KenGen aims to conserve and manage the environment while ensuring that projects are ecologically sensitive and responsive to the current needs of the local communities.
By involving local communities in all stages of project implementation, KenGen expects to reduce civil suits and have faster project implementations. This approach will also provide social benefits to local communities, including access to clean water and affordable, reliable energy.
