Kenya 221
increasing the sustainability of charcoal production, trade and consumption,
and providing opportunities for fuel switching (Ministry of Environment, Water
and Natural Resources, 2013; Wanjiru, Nyambane, and Omedo, 2016).
In this chapter, we explore the risks and uncertainties associated with expansion of geothermal power development and sustainable charcoal production and
trade, framing them within the discourse around Kenya’s energy future. We first
situate the development of geothermal and sustainable charcoal sectors within
the context of Kenya’s low- carbon transition pathway and the country’s changing political landscape. We then present analyses of risks and uncertainties
around further development within both sectors, followed by a discussion of
their implications. We conclude with policy recommendations for the two
sectors.
Research process and methods
To explore the risks and uncertainties around developing geothermal power generation and sustainable charcoal production and trade in Kenya, we analysed the
technological innovation system (see Bergek et al., 2008; Hekkert et al., 2007),
including the market system and actors. We used stakeholder attribute matrices,
stakeholder engagement in the form of interviews and focus group discussions
(FGDs), and field observations to identify the risks and uncertainties faced by
different actors across the market system. We undertook 17 semi- structured interviews and three FGDs with geothermal- sector stakeholders, including three
national government officials, one county government official, three employees of
state- owned utilities, two representatives of independent power producers, one
representative of the regulatory authority, two members of research institutions,
five representatives of development partners, and seven members of the local community in the Olkaria region. We also undertook seven semi- structured interviews
and targeted discussions during two workshops with charcoal- sector stakeholders,
including six national government officials, two county government officials, representatives of three charcoal producer associations, representatives of one charcoal transporter group, four members of research institutions, and two
representatives of development partners. Data collection took place over the
course of June 2016 to May 2018.
Low- carbon energy pathways for Kenya
Kenya is one of East Africa’s major economies, with a population of almost 50
million and a GDP of roughly US$75 billion.
1
The country’s high dependence
on natural resources makes its GDP very sensitive to impacts of climate change
on the natural environment (Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources,
2016). In 2007, the government established Vision 2030, its blueprint for
becoming a newly industrialising, middle- income country providing a highquality life for all its citizens by 2030 (Government of Kenya, 2007). The notion
increasing the sustainability of charcoal production, trade and consumption,
and providing opportunities for fuel switching (Ministry of Environment, Water
and Natural Resources, 2013; Wanjiru, Nyambane, and Omedo, 2016).
In this chapter, we explore the risks and uncertainties associated with expansion of geothermal power development and sustainable charcoal production and
trade, framing them within the discourse around Kenya’s energy future. We first
situate the development of geothermal and sustainable charcoal sectors within
the context of Kenya’s low- carbon transition pathway and the country’s changing political landscape. We then present analyses of risks and uncertainties
around further development within both sectors, followed by a discussion of
their implications. We conclude with policy recommendations for the two
sectors.
Research process and methods
To explore the risks and uncertainties around developing geothermal power generation and sustainable charcoal production and trade in Kenya, we analysed the
technological innovation system (see Bergek et al., 2008; Hekkert et al., 2007),
including the market system and actors. We used stakeholder attribute matrices,
stakeholder engagement in the form of interviews and focus group discussions
(FGDs), and field observations to identify the risks and uncertainties faced by
different actors across the market system. We undertook 17 semi- structured interviews and three FGDs with geothermal- sector stakeholders, including three
national government officials, one county government official, three employees of
state- owned utilities, two representatives of independent power producers, one
representative of the regulatory authority, two members of research institutions,
five representatives of development partners, and seven members of the local community in the Olkaria region. We also undertook seven semi- structured interviews
and targeted discussions during two workshops with charcoal- sector stakeholders,
including six national government officials, two county government officials, representatives of three charcoal producer associations, representatives of one charcoal transporter group, four members of research institutions, and two
representatives of development partners. Data collection took place over the
course of June 2016 to May 2018.
Low- carbon energy pathways for Kenya
Kenya is one of East Africa’s major economies, with a population of almost 50
million and a GDP of roughly US$75 billion.
1
The country’s high dependence
on natural resources makes its GDP very sensitive to impacts of climate change
on the natural environment (Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources,
2016). In 2007, the government established Vision 2030, its blueprint for
becoming a newly industrialising, middle- income country providing a highquality life for all its citizens by 2030 (Government of Kenya, 2007). The notion