National Energy Policy - Final Draft - 14 Nov 2013

FOREWORD BY THE CABINET SECRETARY FOR ENERGY AND PETROLEUMThis Sessional Paper sets out the national policies and strategies for the energy sector that arealigned to the new Constitution and are in tandem with the Vision 2030.Kenya Vision 2030 (the Vision) is a long-term development blueprint which aims at transforming thecountry into a globally competitive, newly industrialized, middle income and prosperous country.The Vision seeks to ensure a high quality of life to all citizens in a clean and secure environment by2030. The objectives of the Vision have been adopted as GoK’s national development objectives.The Vision has identified Short, Medium and Long-term strategies aimed at transforming the socialand economic well-being of its citizens. Among the Short-term strategies was the enactment of aNew Constitution. The Constitution of Kenya, 2010 has drastically and substantially altered thegovernance structure of the country. It has also enhanced participation by the citizens in decisionmaking processes. This has necessitated the need to review the energy sector framework in orderto align it with the new constitutional dispensation.The overall national development objectives of the Government of Kenya are accelerated economicgrowth; increasing productivity of all sectors; equitable distribution of national income; povertyalleviation through improved access to basic needs; enhanced agricultural production;industrialisation; accelerated employment creation and improved rural-urban balance. The extent towhich these objectives can be realised on a sustainable basis and environmentally sound manner,is dependent on the degree and economic efficiency with which critical factors of production aremade available and combined with each other to produce the desired results. The realisation ofthese objectives is only feasible if quality energy services are availed in a sustainable, cost effectiveand affordable manner to all sectors of the economy ranging from manufacturing, services, mining,and agriculture to households.We submit these policy recommendations with optimism. The tasks ahead are great but achievable.To meet our energy challenge we must put to good use the resources around us and the talentswithin us.I call upon all energy sector players both in public and private sectors to work together to ensurethat the proposals contained in this policy are achieved. I also direct that an appropriate mechanismbe set to monitor and evaluate the implementation process so as to ensure that the gains in thispolicy benefit all Kenyans.Hon. Davis ChirchirCabinet SecretaryMinistry of Energy and Petroleum1 FOREWORD BY THE CABINET SECRETARY FOR ENERGY AND PETROLEUM