DEPARTURE OF JOHN KIOLI. Today, Kenya’s and Africa’s climate justice movements mourn the loss of a comrade and friend, John Kioli, chair of the Kenya Climate Change Working Group (@KCCWG). To many, Kioli was a justice champion. For more than 24 years, he advanced climate justice and renewable energy policy in Kenya and across Sub-Saharan Africa. To Power Shift Africa, he was a friend. Our director, Mohamed Adow, described Mr Kioli as a true son of Kenya who relentlessly pursued justice for climate-vulnerable communities across the country. “Kioli was the composed, rigorous and steady force that steered and strengthened the Kenya climate justice movement,” Adow said, adding that his passing is a profound loss to the climate community. “I have lost a personal friend.” At the time of his passing, Kioli was serving as a commissioner on the Nairobi River Commission. To Kioli’s family, KCCWG and comrades in the justice movement, Power Shift Africa grieves with you. Fare thee well, dear John.

Kenya has built one of Africa’s leading renewable electricity systems, with close to 90% of generation coming from geothermal, hydro, wind and solar. Yet households and businesses continue to face high energy costs. At a Nairobi meeting convened by Power Shift Africa, energy experts, government, academia and civil society are asking a difficult question: why hasn’t Kenya’s clean electricity translated into affordable energy? The discussion is examining where costs arise, from generation and transmission to fuel, financing, contracts, taxes and foreign-exchange movements, and what can realistically be done about them. “Green electricity, expensive energy” is the problem statement. The task now is to understand the problem properly and identify workable solutions. #Kenya #Energy #RenewableEnergy #JustTransition