The Empirical Study of Sustainable Energy Use and Policies in a Developing Country. The Case of Kenya Vision 2030

Abstract

Recent literature has shown a close correlation between economic prosperity and the intensity of energy use in a country. In this study, an investigation to determine the extent of evolution of the concept of sustainability in the energy industry to realise the aim of Kenya Vision 2030 development blueprint is presented. In this study, journals, government reports, statutes and policies dating back to the end of the eighteenth century were reviewed to establish the research gap. Interviewing of key stakeholders in the energy industry a survey of rural, peri-urban and urban households on energy use and supply in the country and a geographical information system were methods used for data analysis. The study findings revealed that; the current energy policies are a legacy of colonial policies which benefit the urban and commercial centres along the railway line; the current policies are skewed to promoting electricity and petroleum sectors in energy industry and; biomass is the main source of fuel for rural and peri-urban households and, increased household energy demand has a negative impact on environment. In light of these findings, the practice of energy use and policies have to evolve significantly so that the aim of the Vision 2030 has to be realised. Therefore, this study is an innovative, analytical and methodological approach to sustainable energy use and policy assessment for developing countries. The study also makes contribution to the body of knowledge in the field of sustainable energy use and policies for developing countries by literature publication.