Author: staff reporter

By Prof. Bart O. Nnaji FAS, FA Eng. CON, NNOM – Founder/Chairman, Geometric
Power Limited and former Nigerian Minister of Power
Africa’s energy journey is often portrayed as a stark choice between climate responsibility and development. In reality, the continent faces a more nuanced challenge: finding a fair, gradual energy transition that matches its unique needs and ambitions. Technology and innovation can drive this change, helping secure affordable and sustainable energy for all.
In the coming decades, Africa’s population is expected to soar to nearly 2.5 billion.

Cities will grow. Industries will expand. Digital connections will multiply. The demand for energy will increase significantly. Right now, expecting Africa to abandon fossil fuels overnight is neither
realistic nor fair.

In the near future, fossil fuels remain crucial for base power that is reliable,
and affordable. In particular, natural gas is key transition fuel that will remain the base power solution for the next decade. Africa must not embrace renewable energy primarily when they
have abundance of fossil fuel for their industrialization as other emerging and emerged nations have done. A just energy transition recognises these realities and seeks ways to build cleaner, more resilient systems over time.
Technology as the Enabler of Africa’s Energy Future
Exciting new technologies are already reshaping Africa’s energy landscape:
 Decentralised solutions, like mini-grids, off-grid solar, and batteries, bring electricity to
places traditional grids can’t reach. By 2030, these distributed renewables could
provide most new connections in underserved communities.
 Smart grids and AI-driven management can reduce waste. They help utilities serve
people better.
 Modern batteries ensure that solar and wind energy can be delivered steadily, even
when the sun isn’t shining or the wind isn’t blowing.
Decentralised approaches are essential to Africa’s path toward universal energy access.
While technology is not a fix-all solution, it is a crucial enabler of efficiency, resilience, and
affordability, shaping Africa’s energy future.
African entrepreneurs are leading much of this change. They’re developing solutions that
meet local needs, such as pay-as-you-go solar, community-run mini-grids, and mobile
payment platforms. These innovations don’t just bring power; they create jobs, build skills,
and reap economic benefits for the continent.

Story: By Judith Mwai Staff 6th May 2026

Nairobi, Kenya
The National Council of Churches of Kenya (NCCK) has issued a scathing assessment of the state of the nation, condemning what it called a “transactional political culture” that is fueling violence, poverty, and institutional decay ahead of the 2027 General Election.

Delegates from NCCK member churches in Nairobi, Kiambu, Garissa, Wajir, and Mandera met for two days at the YMCA Central Conference Hall under the Theme

Strengthening Governance, Accountability, and Trust for Credible Elections.’_ In a strongly worded statement, the church body said Kenya’s democratic ideals are being overshadowed by elite interests at the expense of ordinary citizens.

1. End ‘Goonism’
   NCCK decried the entrenchment of goonism” in politics, describing it as a “goon economy” that exploits unemployed youth. With 67% of young Kenyans lacking meaningful work, the council said political elites are “commodifying their desperation” by paying as little as KSh 200-500 to disrupt meetings or intimidate opponents.
   “We condemn this weaponization of poverty, which converts our children into disposable infantry for the political elite,” the statement read.
   NCCK called on the Registrar of Political Parties to deregister any party funding youth violence and urged the Director of Public Prosecutions to target “sponsors” who bankroll goons.
2. Punish Hate Speech
   Citing Proverbs 6:19, the council challenged the NCIC, KNCHR, CAJ, DCI, and DPP to take “visible, timely and punitive action” against politicians spewing hate. “If you are too intimidated to do your work, then it is high time you resign,” the delegates said.
3. Nairobi Flooding Crisis
   NCCK said Nairobi has become the “epicentre of a recurring tragedy,” with intense rains since early March claiming at least 66 lives through drowning and electrocution. The council blamed “systemic urban planning failures” and said drainage projects “exist only on paper” while being used as campaign tools.
   It demanded an “immediate, transparent overhaul” of Nairobi’s drainage systems with permanent, engineered solutions, not temporary fixes.
4. SHA and Healthcare Graft
   The church body flagged “financial leakages” in the Social Health Authority transition, citing Auditor General reports of KSh 11 billion lost to fraudulent claims in six months. Meanwhile, maternal mortality remains high, with up to 6,000 women dying annually from preventable causes.
   “Access to quality healthcare is a fundamental right, not a commodity to be traded for political loyalty,” NCCK said.
5. High Cost of Living
   NCCK noted that food and fuel prices continue to drive inflation, leaving over 30% of Kenyans surviving on less than KSh 1,300 per month. It called for a review of heavy fuel taxes, a cut in wasteful spending, and agricultural subsidies to lower food costs. The government, it added, must explain how debt servicing is balanced against poverty relief.
6. IEBC and Early Campaigns
   While acknowledging new IEBC appointments, NCCK said “institutional trust remains fragile.” It demanded reversal of all involuntary voter transfers and a public audit of biometric database breaches. The council also told IEBC to “take firm action” against early campaigns: “If you cannot control them when they campaign illegally, how can we trust you to stop them rigging elections in 2027?”
7. Protect the Pulpit
   NCCK committed to enforcing guidelines on ministering to politicians, stating that all politicians attending worship will be treated equally.

The council said its intervention is rooted in a commitment to justice and human dignity, warning that impunity and failed social contracts threaten Kenya’s peace.

At least 1,000 women in Kenyan prisons are set to benefit from a menstrual hygiene campaign by Detrex Soap in partnership with the charitable organisation Keeping Girls in School (KGS). The initiative, which commenced in March and runs through to September, aims to address a neglected public health gap inside the country’s correctional system.

The programme will distribute dignity kits containing sanitary pads, underwear, soap and basic hygiene supplies, including Detrex bathing soap, to women inmates across several facilities. Organizers say the effort responds to persistent shortages of personal care items that leave many incarcerated women dependent on irregular donations or family support.

Kenya’s prison population stands at around 58,000 inmates, with women accounting for roughly 13 per cent, according to data from the National Council on the Administration of Justice. This suggests a female prison population of approximately 8,000, highlighting the relatively small but vulnerable group the campaign seeks to support.

Despite their smaller numbers, women prisoners often face distinct health and sanitation challenges, emerging from, a systemic issue. Kenya’s prisons operate at about 161 per cent of official capacity, according to data from the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics, putting pressure on sanitation infrastructure and access to basic supplies.

Health advocates say inadequate access to soap and menstrual products increases the risk of reproductive tract infections, urinary tract infections and skin diseases, while also contributing to anxiety, stigma and loss of dignity among inmates.

“We believe access to basic hygiene is fundamental to health and dignity for every Kenyan, including those in correctional facilities. Through Detrex, we are proud to support such practical interventions that restore dignity while advancing public health outcomes in underserved communities,” said Polycarp Nyawuana, the RRT Manager Nairobi at Pwani Oil, during the campaign’s launch at the Lang’ata Women’s Prison in Nairobi.

The campaign also reflects growing corporate participation in Kenya’s social development agenda, particularly in areas where public resources remain stretched. Civil society organisations estimate that many women in prison come from low-income backgrounds and may lack consistent family support, making them particularly vulnerable to shortages of essential supplies.

“Menstrual health and hygiene is an urgent but often overlooked need, especially within correctional facilities, where a majority of the women population is underprivileged. It is encouraging to see corporates like Pwani Oil, taking bold steps to bridge the needs gap,” said Wamuyu Kuira, the Executive Director at KGS.

The initiative is supported by Pwani Oil Products Limited (Pwani Oil), the manufacturer of Detrex Soap, as part of its environmental, social and governance commitments and broader community outreach programmes.

In addition to the distribution of products, KGS says the programme will include menstrual health education sessions aimed at improving hygiene practices and reducing stigma around menstruation within prison communities.

Kenya has made incremental progress in expanding health coverage for inmates, including recent efforts to register prisoners under the national Social Health Authority scheme, but advocates say more targeted interventions are still required to address gender specific health needs. This makes the Detrex-KGS campaign a practical step towards closing one such gap.