The long awaited liberalization of the Kenyan power and energy sector is the only solution for dealing with cartels which have controlled and manipulated the sector for ages.
According to the parliamentary departmental committee on energy, liberalizing Kenya power Kengen will not only protect power consumers in the country but will also go along way in ensuring the country has enough and constant supply of power.
According to the committee, two crucial bills on energy and petroleum are set to liberalize the production and distribution of energy products and phase out intrusion of cartels into the crucial sub-sector.
Speaking at Nakuru county assembly during a public participation forum on the Energy bill and Petroleum Bill, National Assembly committee chairman on Energy and Natural resources David Gikaria said the bills have far reaching reforms in ensuring that the locals have a say in the resources being extracted from within their counties.
"These bills greatly attempts to reinforce the concept of local content that will define what proportion of the benefits from the resources do the locals benefit and how are they involved in the management and decisions with the boards and other entities," he said.
“The two bills will go a long way in ensuring that we get rid of cartels from Kenya power and allow private players into the sector and once we allow private players I can assure you that the cost of electricity will go down,” added Gikaria.
However, the MP cautioned residents who might benefit from the local content provision against sub-contracting works given to them as it will negate the essence of allocating them that special opportunity.