Kajiado County gender and energy forum a success

By Noah Lusaka

The Kajiado County stakeholder’s forum on Gender and Energy was successfully held on 28th May 2015 at the ACK hall in Kajiado town. The forum that was convened by ENERGIA Kenya Network through Arid Lands Information Network (ALIN) and practical Action (PA) was cordially graced by the County Executive Committee member for health Ms. Glady's Marima and the chief officer in charge of roads transport and Energy.

The county officials encouraged civil society and the private sector to continue supporting communities with innovative energy solutions. 'This is a very important forum to enhance coordination of gender and energy activities in Kajiado given that its women and children who really suffer fetching for wood fuel and cooking in smoky kitchens' remarked Ms. Marima.

In attendance were 35 stakeholders drawn from within the Kajiado county government, civil society, private companies, community based groups. The forum offered a platform for stakeholders to discuss gender and energy issues affecting Kajiado citizens and to develop a roadmap for future Gender and Energy activities for inclusion in the County CIDP.

Some of the participants posing for a photo

Among the stakeholders were Mr. John Sironik of Kiserian slaughter house who indicated their firm is at advanced stage in commercializing packaged biogas for cooking. He requested the county to subsidize the gas for communities to access at a lower cost of kshs. 300/= per cylinder of 6kgs.

Anika Jane of Green Energy Africa ltd demonstrated a simple and affordable solar energy option for multipurpose uses at family level. The stakeholders proposed innovative ideas in addressing gender and energy issues within the county focusing on the five sectors of Education and health, urban development, agriculture and water resources.

Madam Esther Shena who is the Gender Manager shared progress made so far in developing a county gender policy. The participants also shared experiences on gender and household energy access and got to understand the global initiatives on SEALL and implications on County energy plans.