Lodwar – 11th April 2025 (Public Communications and Media Relations)
A clean energy project seeks to enhance peacebuilding and development efforts in cross-border sub-counties.
This follows a following a meeting with the Chief Officer (CO) for Energy, Petroleum and Mineral Resources, Triza Amoni, by representatives from DanChurchAid (DCA) Kenya and Turkana Pastoralists Development Organization (TUPADO).
The “Spread Strengthening Peace, Resilience and Disaster Reduction” project is being implemented in the cross-border sub-counties of Kibish, Turkana North and Lokichoggio.
The project, running from 2024 to 2027, seeks to leverage clean energy to enhance peace, resilience, and livelihoods, with a special focus on empowering women.
Speaking during the meeting, CO Amoni highlighted the County’s commitment to expanding access to clean energy in marginalized regions.
“There is a need to sensitize communities on the importance of clean energy. It can improve livelihoods and create new opportunities for economic development,” stated CO Amoni.
She further emphasized the value of supporting women’s groups through exposure visits and benchmarking, allowing them to learn from successful energy initiatives in other counties. This, she noted, would equip them with the knowledge needed to start income generating ventures.
Deputy Director for Energy, Petroleum and Mineral Resources, Geoffrey Eregae, explained the need to provide improved cookstoves in off-grid areas and advocated for the installation of streetlights in border regions to enhance security and support peacebuilding.
DCA Kenya’s team lead, Irene Kibon, reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to working with the County Government. She noted that proper street lighting would not only improve security, but also foster peace and promote cross-border trade.
In her closing remarks, CO Amoni called for strengthened partnerships and the exploration of alternative energy solutions tailored for underserved communities. She stressed that such efforts are vital for enhancing the livelihoods of nomadic populations and sustaining peace in the region.
