Government launches “Kaa Safe” campaign

WANGARI NDIRANGU-KNA 

The Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) has launched the” Kaa Safe” Mtaani campaign to create awareness and promote safety in the energy sector.

Speaking during the launch in Nairobi, Energy and Petroleum Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi said the government has made significant strides to improve safety regulations and enforcement mechanisms in the energy sector.

“We recently strengthened the framework for regulation surrounding LPG and petroleum storage and distribution, with a particular focus on quality control, and in the electricity sector, have increasingly ensured that power distribution infrastructure meets stringent safety standards even as we continue to conduct strict nationwide audits to ensure compliance,” the CS said.

He acknowledged that there are disturbing statis tics on safety in the sector but noted that even as the ministry attempts to ensure access to energy as demand rises, safety must be the cornerstone of the progress.

“The statistics report by EPRA shows that between July and December 2024 alone, nearly 195,000 new customers were connected to electricity, pushing the total number of fully connected customers to just under 10 million.

This, the CS noted, is very significant but added that with electricity access, particularly in rural and marginalized communities, there is need to strengthen safety education to prevent accidents.

Wandayi added that through the Kenya National E-Cooking Strategy, which was launched sometimes back, the government is laying the groundwork for a future where electricity be comes a primary source of energy.

“About 25 per cent of Kenyans already own an electric appliance. We propose to electrify most cooking needs by 2050 as part of our national drive towards zero pollution.

"This vision must be accompanied by trust in the safety of e-cooking solutions, ensuring that every household understands how to use them securely,” the CS said.

Wandayi said LPG for Schools project is enabling learning institutions to adopt cleaner, safer cooking solutions. “As we launch this campaign here, I want to call upon all of us to embrace this initiative, to integrate safety practices in our businesses and daily lives, and to be champions of safe energy use. 

"Let us make safety a cornerstone of our energy sector and the value that every Kenyan embraces. I strongly believe that it is do able. So let us do it,” the CS said.

The Principal Secretary for the State Department for Petroleum, Mohamed Liban, said there have been increased uptake of liquefied petroleum gas for domestic industrial use as well as alternative automotive fuel.

“Growing demand for sustainable transportation supported by government initiatives such as the zero rate of taxes on LPG continues to drive the growth of the auto gas market. He added that with the notable developments in the country, it is important for all to join hands and move the ‘Kaa Safe’ campaign to all, saying this will require collaborative efforts.

“This campaign is a tool to reach the last mile; it is a vehicle for us to reach all the regions through aware ness campaign at the grass roots and ensure that the three products we are using; electricity, e-cooking and LPG are used prudently and safely,” he said.

Recent data from the Energy and Petroleum Statistics report shows that demand for LPG increased by 13.38 per cent, from 195,445.13 metric tons reported in the first half of the year 2024 to 219,416 metric tons in the second half period of 2024, a clear indicator that Kenyans are increasingly appreciating the benefit of this clean and efficient fuel.

Liban said that the State Department of Petroleum is working closely with EPRA and industry players to intensify efforts around petroleum safety education by including strict enforcement of safety standards, community sensitization, and ensuring that petroleum re tailers and transporters ad here to the highest level of compliance.

State Department of Energy Principal Secretary Alex Wachira asked Kenyans to ensure that they adhere to safety measures by using certified electricians to ensure proper electrical installations and regular maintenance to prevent accidents.

“We recognize the important role energy plays in the lives of our citizens and the broader economic development of our country. The ‘Kaa Safe’ campaign is not just about raising awareness. It is a bold, clarion call to action that transforms how energy is accessed, consumed, and managed across the country,” Wachira said.

The Director General of EPRA Daniel Kiptoo said everybody is a champion and that all should put their heads together to increase awareness on safety.