KenGen program to involve local communities in decision making commences

Kenya Electricity Generating Company has started a program that will involve local communities as with regards to decisions and policies made by the company. These strategies aim at promoting community feasible operations by adopting practices that are tailored to a local population needs. As for example, it will assess the cultural and economical appropriateness of projects with the goal of protecting local culture and lifestyle in order to avoid scuffles such as the recent contested Kinangop Wind Power Park. Additionally, the program will involve capacity building through provision of various projects such as: school infrastructure development; scholarships for bright and needy students; and provision of clean drinking water through water purification plants. The introduced program relies on the principles of proactive consultation which include inclusive public participation, disclosure and access to information. The program aligns with the commitment by KenGen to provide value for all stakeholders including the local communities. Through Consultation and engagement with communities across the country, KenGen will ensure that the environment is conserved and managed as the projects will not only be ecologically sensitive but also responsive to the current needs of the local communities. Joshua Choge, KenGen board chairman, retaliated that community engagement is key to the success of operations. Moreover, a populaton is set to benefit because there will be social benefits for local communities such as water supply and affordable, reliable access to energy. As part of its business sustainability strategy, the organization will have faster project implementations due to reduced civil suits in breach of legal obligation as engagement with communities in all stages of the project implementation will have to involve tribunals that solve issues arising.