Nairobi: The Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) has launched the 'Kaa Safe' Mtaani campaign to promote safety in the energy sector. Energy and Petroleum Cabinet Secretary James Opiyo Wandayi highlighted significant strides in improving safety regulations and enforcement mechanisms within the sector.
According to Kenya News Agency, during the launch, Wandayi emphasized recent enhancements in the regulatory framework for LPG and petroleum storage and distribution, focusing on quality control and ensuring stringent safety standards in power distribution infrastructure. Despite progress, Wandayi acknowledged concerning safety statistics in the energy sector, stressing the importance of safety as access to energy increases.
The EPRA statistics report revealed that nearly 195,000 new customers were connected to electricity between July and December 2024, bringing the total number of connections to nearly 10 million. Wandayi highlighted the importance of safety education, particularly in rural and marginalized areas, to prevent accidents as electricity access expands.
Wandayi also discussed the Kenya National E-Cooking Strategy, aiming to make electricity a primary energy source by 2050. He noted that 25 percent of Kenyans own an electric appliance and emphasized the need for trust in the safety of e-cooking solutions, ensuring secure usage in households. The LPG for Schools project is promoting cleaner and safer cooking solutions in learning institutions.
Principal Secretary for the State Department for Petroleum, Mohamed Liban, noted the increased uptake of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) for domestic and industrial use, driven by initiatives like zero taxation on LPG. He highlighted the campaign's role in reaching grassroots levels to ensure prudent and safe use of electricity, e-cooking, and LPG.
Recent data from the Energy and Petroleum Statistics report indicates a 13.38 percent increase in LPG demand from 195,445.13 metric tons in the first half of 2024 to 219,416 metric tons in the latter half, reflecting growing appreciation for this clean and efficient fuel. Liban emphasized collaboration among stakeholders to promote petroleum safety education and compliance.
State Department of Energy Principal Secretary Alex Wachira urged Kenyans to adhere to safety measures, including using certified electricians for installations and maintenance. He described the Kaa Safe campaign as a transformative initiative for energy access, consumption, and management across the country.
EPRA Director General Daniel Kiptoo called for collective efforts to raise safety awareness, announcing upcoming activities to enhance information dissemination and awareness regarding energy and petroleum products.