The mining of Kenya’s coal deposits has started in earnest in line with Kenya’s aspiration to be a middle-income industrialized country by the year 2030. A key element in reaching this goal is the generation of energy to power industries and make electricity more widely accessible to the population in Kenya.
Whilst the government is making key investments in renewable energy, for the increased generation of electricity, coal has been added to the energy generation sources. The construction of the country’s first coal power plant was approved by the national government in 2013. Although initially this plant will use imported coal from South Africa and Mozambique, the plant will subsequently use locally sourced coal, mainly from the Mui Basin in Kitui County. Other attempts to locate coal resources are underway including in the coastal counties, namely, Kilifi, Kwale and Tana River.
On 5 December 2016, the Rift Valley Forum and Mombasa-based Human Rights Agenda, hosted a public forum to discuss the dynamics of this development and the role of the County Governments in addressing the social, environmental and economic impacts of the coal activities on the Coast.
Moderator
Yusuf Lule Mwatsefu
HURIA
Discussants
Ali Mafimbo
Kwale County
Khmisi Kaviha
Lamu County
Kiringi Mwachitu
Kilifi County
Omito Edward
Taita Taveta County
