This brief is based on an SEI report that explored in depth the many ways in which policy coherence impacts the Kenyan government’s efforts to achieve a just energy transition in Kenya. Based on an analysis of the policy landscape and interactions between key policy objectives, as well as a set of interviews, the authors examined the drivers and outcomes of policy coherence.
Cassilde Muhoza, Philip Osano, Adis Dzebo / Published on 21 January 2026
Muhoza, C., Osano, P., & Dzebo, A. (2025). Policy coherence for a just energy transition in Kenya's electricity sector. SEI brief. Stockholm Environment Institute. https://doi.org/10.51414/sei2026.001
Prioritizing investments in renewable energy in Kenya has the highest synergetic potential and contributes to economic growth, energy access, and reductions in poverty, inequality and greenhouse gas emissions.
Equity goals related to industrialization and job creation conflict with greenhouse gas emission reduction in the country’s industry and transport sectors.
Despite the current transition towards increased renewable electricity generation in Kenya, conflicts remain between deployment of renewable energy and affordability of electricity. Thus, this transition has not necessarily led to equitable outcomes.
Kenya should remove the institutional barriers that drive policy incoherence and hinder progress on economic growth, poverty and inequality reduction, and subsequently on reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Policy should mitigate the interests and power dynamics in the electricity market that further influence the affordability of electricity and exacerbate inequality and that are drivers of incoherence.
SEI brief / PDF / 774 KB
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