National Energy Policy - Final Draft - 14 Nov 2013

7.3 ACCESS TO ENERGY SERVICES BY COUNTYIt is estimated that worldwide, 1.456billion people do not have access to electricity, out of which83% live in rural areas. In Sub-Saharan Africa only 12% of the rural populations have access toelectricity compared to the average of 35% - 40% for the developing world. In Kenya, it wasestimated by 2003 that about 4% of the population had electricity connection in their homes;and this figure was estimated to have risen to about 22% by 2010.7.4 CHALLENGES1 Despite the fact that the Fourth Schedule of the Constitution provides for the various roles of thetwo levels of the government, there is a possibility of operational uncertainty as to the extent ofresponsibility between the two levels of governments.2 There is no framework for devolution of functions within the energy sector to ensure servicecontinuity or standards to guide County governments on devolved responsibility.7.5 Policies and Strategies and Implementation Plan – Access to Energy ServicesPolicies and StrategiesAccess to Energy Services1. A framework on the functional devolution of roles between the two levelsof government will be developed in consultation with all stakeholders toavoid the uncertainty/overlap of responsibilities. Amongst the roles to beaddressed in the framework include:a) Licensing of County Governments to provide distribution andreticulation services for gas and electricity.Short Term2014-2017b) Establish energy disaster management centres in all the counties. c) NERC shall establish a National Forum for energy regulators. d) Formulate cooperation arrangements between NationalElectrification and Renewable Energy Authority and CountyGovernment for implementation of rural electrificationprogrammes.2. Fifteen per cent of benefits due to the National government from specificcounty natural energy resources developed by sector players will be paidto the specific County government and five per cent to the specific localcommunity. These payments will be in lieu of direct levies or charges byCounty Governments on energy installations.3. Minimum standards shall be developed to guide County governments ondevolved responsibilities in the energy sector.4. Licensing shall primarily be undertaken by the National Government.However, some of the licensing services will be systematically devolvedto the County governments as detailed in Table 10.5 in 10.0 - Annexture.Implementation PlanMedium Term2014-2022Long Term2014-2030 112 NATIONAL ENERGY POLICY FINAL DRAFT NOVEMBER 2013