By Evelyn Mwaura

It was KenGen to the world as the inaugural webinar for the second edition of The Energy Post was held Friday last week in what was nothing short of spectacular. The webinar brought together over 350 participants, all tuned in for two hours, twenty-five minute, of thought -provoking conversations.

This inaugural webinar attracted carefully selected panelists, including renowned leaders in energy policy, climate change, and industrialization. It was an inspiring occasion, giving
attendees a front-row seat to the insights shaping Africa's energy future. The discussions covered a wide range of topics, ensuring that no stone was left unturned in the quest for sustainable energy solutions.

The event kicked off with a discussion by KenGen’s Marketing and Corporate Communications Manager, Frank D. Ochieng, who set the stage by sharing highlights from his exclusive interview with Erik Fernstrom, the World Bank's Practice Manager for Energy in East Africa. He went on to paint a picture of Africa’s green transition, discussing the role of international funding and the infrastructural hurdles the continent faces.

In that Energy Post’s lead story, Fernstrom emphasized the urgent need for partnerships to drive universal access to clean energy in Kenya and neighbouring countries, offering a bold vision for Africa's energy future.

This was followed by KenGen’s Assistant Manager, Emmanuel Wandera's thought provoking take on energy cooperation within the Eastern Africa Power Pool (EAPP), and how opening doors to private energy players could boost energy access across the region.

Wandera highlighted that collaboration between governments and private players is essential to creating a more robust and sustainable energy network for Eastern Africa.

Senior Communications Officer, NuPEA, Purity Mawia, representing Albert Barongo, tackled the audience with a challenging question, “How does the public equate success
amidst a climate crisis?” Her perspective on Africa's climate future raised discussions on the need to balance economic growth with environmental stewardship.

Daniel Thuo, an experienced energy economist, took the discussion to another level with his focus on green industrialization as a critical pathway to Kenya's energy
transition. Thuo’s analysis outlined how Kenya could set itself apart as a leader in renewable energy, driving both domestic growth and international investment.

Elizabeth Gakunga, a budding geologist and a former intern at KenGen, contributed a refreshing, Gen-Z perspective on why "Green energy is not just a saviour for our economy but for our future," a topic which she passionately argued.

Then came in George Aluru, CEO of the Electricity Sector Association of Kenya (ESAK), who delved into Kenya’s electricity sector in 2023-2024, and what the future looks like, addressing the challenges and opportunities ahead.

Adding a twist to the conversation was Anthony Kahindi, whose controversial article on the retirement of thermal plants stirred debate.

As many advocated for a complete transition to green energy, Kahindi argued that thermal plants still hold value, particularly in coastal regions where infrastructure challenges remain. His bold assertions prompted the audience to rethink their positions on energy transition, making for one of the most engaging segments of the webinar.

The discussions did not stop there. The University of Nairobi Engineering Students Union, who had a special invitation as audience, engaged in the conversation, voicing their optimism for the future and their commitment to the energy sector.

A special shout out to the event’s moderator, Judith Mbogo, a Senior Marketing and Communications Officer at KenGen, who with her poise, charm, and command of the
energy sector kept the audience captivated throughout the session.

As the session drew to a close, the audience, both online and in-person, expressed immense gratitude for the panelists' contributions. Their insights, drawn from real-world experience and cutting-edge research, made this webinar not just an informative session but a transformative experience. It was clear that the conversations sparked during the event would continue to resonate in the energy community for a long time.

The overwhelming success of this webinar has set the bar high for future editions of The Energy Post. Attendees left the session eager to engage with the content of the magazine, many taking to social media to express their admiration and commitment to contributing to future issues. As one attendee noted, “This wasn’t just a webinar; it was the start of something much bigger – a movement toward a greener, more sustainable
Africa.”

Our counterparts at Uganda's Electricity Regulatory Authority, led by the Director of Corporate and Consumer Affairs, J. Julius Wandera, expressed their sincere gratitude for the opportunity to participate in The Energy Post live webinar. He mentioned that he was looking to build a similar initiative at the Uganda’s regulatory authority.

For those who missed the live session, the recorded version is now available on KenGen’s YouTube channel, click HERE.

A downloadable digital copy of The Energy Post Magazine can be found HERE.

So, whether you are a seasoned expert or a passionate newcomer in the energy space, the invitation is open to contribute your stories, ideas, and innovations. After all, the
future of energy in Africa depends on collaboration, innovation, and a shared commitment to sustainability.