Ministry invites public to discuss Energy Bill 2014

By JACKSON OKOTH

NAIROBI, KENYA: The Ministry of Energy and Petroleum has invited the public to submit their views on the draft National Energy Policy and Energy Bill, 2014.

This will be during a workshop at the Bomas of Kenya this Friday.

“The Ministry of Energy and Petroleum has organised a national validation workshop at Bomas of Kenya this Friday,” said Joseph Njoroge-the Principal Secretary, Ministry of Energy and Petroleum.

The workshop is taking place at a time the Ministry of Energy and Petroleum is implementing a 40-month strategy to increase electricity generation. Recent search for oil deposits in Turkana County (pictured) has also renewed interest from foreign companies keen to participate in exploiting this resource. “We shall be looking at the policy documents and draft Bill in terms of how Kenya can have reliable, affordable and sustainable energy supply.

“We are also keen to see the country¹s medium term strategy on energy, what the energy mix is and how it can be changed as well as policy to address concerns by investors,” said Carol Kariuki-Chief Executive Officer at Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA).

CONSOLIDATE LAWS

The new Energy Bill 2014 seeks to consolidate the laws relating to energy into one Act of Parliament. This is by repealing the Energy Act, Geothermal Resources Act and the Petroleum Act to align the legal and regulatory framework of the sector to the Constitution.