Kenya continues to shine globally in green energy initiatives, ranking as the top producer of geothermal energy in Africa and among the leading producers worldwide.
Finance Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi highlighted Kenya’s position as the number one geothermal energy producer in Africa and seventh globally. He noted that the country has more geothermal power capacity under construction than any other nation and plans to nearly double its output by 2030 as part of its ambitious green energy goals.
Speaking in Kakamega during a tour of the Savona Water Project—one of the Financing Locally-Led Climate Action (FLLoCA) projects—Mbadi emphasized how Kenya’s strides in green energy have unlocked significant climate mitigation funding opportunities.
Kenya aims to generate over half of its electricity from geothermal sources, a significant step toward energy sustainability.
Between 2010 and 2022, Kenya boosted its geothermal capacity by 375%—the largest increase among major geothermal producers, according to data from the think tank Ember. The United Nations Environment Program estimates that Eastern Africa has the potential to generate over 20 gigawatts of electricity from geothermal sites, which is more than double the combined current electricity capacity of Kenya and Ethiopia.
Mbadi highlighted that Kenya’s leadership in developing East Africa’s geothermal capacity positions the continent to gain energy independence while advancing economic growth and sustainability.
During the event, Mbadi reiterated the government’s commitment to funding green energy projects across the country. The Savona Water Project exemplifies this commitment, with a combined funding of Ksh 401 million—Ksh 109 million from Kakamega County and Ksh 292 million from the national government. The project, which is 100% solar-powered, aims to ensure a consistent water supply for residents.
“It’s disheartening that some areas have relied on neighboring counties for water. That’s not the spirit of devolution. Phase one and two of this project will deliver 6,500 cubic liters of water, and we aim to complete it by March,” Mbadi said.
Kakamega Governor Fernandes Barasa also emphasized the importance of conserving the Kakamega Forest, the only remaining tropical rainforest in East and Central Africa. “We plan to conserve this natural treasure as part of our broader environmental efforts,” Barasa stated.
The Savona Water Project is set to benefit 80% of Kakamega residents, reducing dependency on water supplies from Nandi County. This initiative underscores the government’s commitment to fulfilling constitutional obligations under Article 43 of the Kenyan Constitution, which guarantees access to clean water for all citizens.
