KNCHR Advocates for Rights-Respectful Transition to Renewable Energy in Nakuru

Nakuru, Kenya – The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) has escalated its campaign for a just transition to renewable energy, emphasizing the importance of aligning business operations with human rights standards. During a workshop held in Nakuru, KNCHR Central Region Coordinator Ruth Getobai called upon businesses in the renewable energy sector to consult on potential risks to avoid legal challenges and financial losses.

According to Kenya News Agency, the move towards clean energy sources presents legal vulnerabilities for businesses, particularly regarding the rights of workers and local communities. “We are training businesses and companies involved in renewable energy on their connection with human rights, focusing on the National Action Plan on Businesses and Human Rights policy framework,” Getobai stated.

The workshop aimed to sensitize renewable energy companies and flower farms about legal compliance, community engagement, and public participation. Getobai highlighted the significance of including women and vulnerable community members in decision-making processes, aligning with the Sustainable Development Goals’ principle of leaving no one behind.

The Commission stressed the need for businesses to establish grievance mechanisms to address any rights violations in their operations, referencing the UN Guidelines on Businesses and Human Rights, which mandate free, prior, and informed consent from communities.

Dr. Joseph Kibugu, African Regional Director for the Business and Human Rights Resource Centre, echoed the importance of building the capacity of businesses to mitigate reputational, legal, and operational risks that could hinder Kenya’s renewable energy transition. “There are material risks to failing to respect human rights, including reputational damage and legal risks,” Kibugu noted, highlighting the potential for legal actions and regulatory sanctions to disrupt business and slow down the transition to renewable energy.

Kibugu also addressed the need for ethical mining practices in Africa, given the continent’s rich reserves of transition minerals critical for renewable energy, such as Cobalt, Lithium, and Graphite. He advocated for community benefits from these resources while condemning traditional extractive practices marked by worker exploitation and child labor.

The emphasis was on creating company-based grievance mechanisms that are credible and impartial, ensuring communities affected by renewable energy projects have access to remedy. With over 80% of Kenya’s energy sources being renewable, the country is at the forefront of the green energy transition, underscored by significant contributions from the Geothermal Development Corporation (GDC) and Kenya Electricity Generating Company (KENGEN), producing 949 MW and 1904 MW of green energy, respectively.