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COUNTY FOCUS KIAMBU Going green after an energy audit Engineer Njeri Mburu in her office K iambu County Government is in the process of formulating and adopting a renewable energy policy. The policy, supported by Kenya Association of Manufacturers, is in alignment with the country’s renewable energy policy. In the process to come up with the policy, the county has assessed what energy its residents and firms consume, and how they can switch from conventional to renewable energy. As Kenya’s industrial power base, Kiambu County is taking early steps to develop its renewable resources to meet energy demand By Nduku Muema Biogas plant Engineer Njeri Mburu, the county’s executive committee member for roads, transport, public works and utilities says they have identified gaps and opportunities. “We tabulated the data and have established who is using what and what projects to start in order to build capacity and switch to renewable energy,” Eng. Njeri says. One of the main projects is to start a biogas plant. The county is partnering with slaughter owners, financiers and donors to start a biogas plant. 28 WATTS UP MAGAZINE APR - MAY 2017 “The county has four private slaughter houses in Dagoretti which produce waste that is currently polluting the environment. Our plan is to partner with them; they give us the waste, we provide the land and set up a biogas plant,” says Ms Njeri. “We expect to produce enough energy to feed to the national grid and generate revenue that will be shared among the county and partners.” Eng. Njeri says the county hopes to create revenue as well as help save the environment, adding that at the individual level; they are encouraging small-scale farmers to use biogas instead of firewood and charcoal.