MOMBASA – Kenya Power is intensifying its efforts to combat the vandalism of its infrastructure and theft of equipment in the coastal region, collaborating closely with security agencies and local administrative officers. The utility’s crackdown aims to safeguard vital power assets and ensure uninterrupted electricity supply to its customers.
According to Kenya News Agency, Kenya Power’s Manager for the Coast region, the company is confronting significant challenges due to the deliberate destruction and theft of its infrastructure, particularly in Mombasa, Kwale, and Kilifi counties. These criminal activities not only result in power outages but also impose substantial financial and reputational damages on the utility.
During a forum held at Pride Inn Hotel for journalists in Kwale County, Marete detailed the company’s proactive measures, including heightened surveillance and partnership with security forces, to tackle the escalating problem of vandalism. He highlighted the detrimental effects of such activities on the regional power distribution network, emphasizing the resultant inconvenience to customers and broader economic implications.
The regional official denounced the rampant vandalism linked to the illicit scrap metal trade, stressing the necessity of a collective effort to curb these offenses. He underscored the importance of community and stakeholder collaboration in protecting power installations, which are crucial for maintaining the region’s economic vitality and production capacity.
Marete also addressed the inadvertent impact of infrastructure development, calling on road agencies like the Kenya National Highway Authority (KeNHA), Kenya Urban Roads Authority (KURA), and Kenya Rural Roads Authority (KeRRA) to coordinate with Kenya Power during road construction and upgrades. Such collaboration is vital to prevent the accidental damage to electricity poles, which can cause further service disruptions.
Kenya Power remains committed to its mission of delivering reliable electricity services, despite the hurdles posed by infrastructure vandalism and theft. The utility’s determined stance against these crimes reflects its dedication to ensuring a stable and efficient power supply for both residential and industrial customers in the coastal region.
NAIROBI – The Kenyan government is on the verge of completing a landmark framework that will enable artisanal miners to legally access and mine within national parks, a move aimed at integrating economic growth with environmental conservation. The Principal Secretary for the State Department for Mining, Elijah Mwangi, announced that the document, initiated following a presidential directive, is in its final stages of preparation and will soon be presented for public input.
According to Kenya News Agency, the initiative represents a significant policy shift designed to support the artisanal mining community, historically excluded from exploiting resources within protected areas. This framework, developed by experts from mining, wildlife, and forestry sectors, is expected to set clear guidelines for sustainable mining practices in conservation zones, addressing a longstanding petition from artisanal miners.
During a discussion with legislators from Taita-Taveta County, Mwangi outlined the importance of this framework, emphasizing its potential to transform the artisanal mining sector into a more substantial contributor to the national economy while ensuring environmental stewardship. The document is seen as a critical step in reconciling the interests of conservation and local economic development, particularly in regions adjacent to mineral-rich national parks.
David Zowe, chairperson of the Taita-Taveta Artisanal Miners’ Association, expressed enthusiasm for the initiative, highlighting the dual benefits of providing livelihood opportunities for local communities and reducing illegal and unsafe mining activities within Tsavo National Park. He pointed out that controlled mining access would mitigate the risks faced by local miners and foster a more positive perception of the park among neighboring communities.
The planned framework addresses several complex issues, including the demarcation of specific mining zones within parks, protocols for safe and responsible access, and strategies for environmental rehabilitation post-mining. It underscores the necessity of balancing resource extraction with conservation principles, reflecting broader discussions on sustainable development.
Moreover, the framework proposes the establishment of artisanal miners’ cooperatives, formalizing the sector and providing a structured mechanism for miners to engage with protected areas responsibly. With over 200 cooperatives already formed nationwide, this approach aims to ensure that mining activities within national parks are regulated, monitored, and contribute positively to both community welfare and environmental conservation.
OUAGADOUGOU – Dr. Abdoul Aziz Ouiminga recently presented a groundbreaking solution for the recycling of spent photovoltaic modules at Joseph Ki Zerbo University in Burkina Faso. In his doctoral thesis in Applied Sciences, Dr. Ouiminga outlined methods for repurposing components of used solar panels into kitchen utensils and construction materials, aiming to address the environmental challenges posed by the disposal of these materials.
According to Burkina Information Agency, Dr. Ouiminga demonstrated the practical application of his recycling methods. His process involves melting down the aluminum frames of discarded photovoltaic modules to create kitchen tools, a development that has reportedly been well received by local households. Furthermore, he has found a way to integrate powdered glass from the modules into a concrete mix, offering a sustainable alternative to traditional cement usage which could potentially reduce construction costs and material consumption.
Dr. Ouiminga’s work draws attention to the significant importation of photovoltaic panels by Burkina Faso, totaling over 83 thousand tons between 2010 and 2018, and underscores the lack of an effective waste management strategy for these materials, particularly in urban areas. The end-of-life solar products, classified as hazardous waste, pose both environmental risks and waste management challenges due to their non-biodegradable and potentially harmful components.
The jury at Joseph Ki Zerbo University recognized the importance and innovation of Dr. Ouiminga’s research, awarding him a doctorate with very honorable mention. The implications of his study extend beyond academic recognition, suggesting viable, industry-scale applications for his recycling processes in the context of sustainable urban development. His work aligns with broader sustainable development goals and offers actionable insights for municipalities in Burkina Faso and potentially other regions to improve their handling of photovoltaic waste.