Green energy benefits: policy options for Kenya
The importance of renewable energy in creating employment, boosting economic growth, addressing poverty, environmental degradation, pollution, soil erosion and biodiversity loss has received less attention in Kenya. Currently, the focus is mainly on increasing the share of electricity generation from renewable energy. However, the underlying factors driving this initiative are mostly for energy diversity and security as a response to climate change and volatile fossil fuel prices. Employment creation and economic growth drivers have largely been ignored despite their positive contribution to citizens’ welfare. In designing renewable energy policies, it is imperative to understand the importance of renewable energy in creating employment and enhancing economic growth.