The Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) has officially launched their campaign dubbed as Kaa Safe Mtaani that will run for a period of one month.
The Campaign is geared towards encouraging behavioral change that is expected to result in reduced accidents and incidents that lead to injury, deaths or loss of property and their initiative aimed at sensitizing Kenyans on dangers of illegal siphoning of fuel from overturned fuel tankers and illegal electricity connections.
Speaking during the official launch, Energy CS Davis Chirchir stated that energy plays a crucial role in the development of the country’s economy and all industries should invest in sustainable energy to achieve strategic growth.
“The Kaa Safe Mtaani campaign is timely in this environment of increased energy consumption as it demonstrates responsibility from the energy sector to its consumers by promoting safety.
However, the campaign speaks to common mwananchi by educating them on crucial steps applicable to their daily life that could avert any harm or loss life,” he said.
The CS assured that his Ministry is committed to support efforts towards the well-being of Kenyans as they deliver services to embrace safety messages and curb occurrence of accidents or incidents related to energy use.
Chirchir noted that according to the Central Bank of Kenya report, the country has experienced a 7.5 percent expansion in Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and a 12.9 percent increase in nominal GDP in 2021 and the resumption of the economic activities has contributed to recovery trend from energy sector to service the demand for reliable and sustainable energy by all sectors of the economy.
“This increase in consumption confirms the necessity for energy in the running of our economy and is crucial for consumer’s growth as they uptake in all energy sub-sectors that can be traced back to the activity and consumption patterns of Kenya,” he added.
Chirchir further reiterated that the bottom line of energy generation, exploration, transportation and policies is the consumer and therefore all stakeholders in the energy sector should protect and invest in the welfare of the consumer.
“The government’s energy policy is people-centered while focus on the consumer is the priority on how we handle the energy ecosystem and for this reason our emphasis on climate change remains critical,” said Chirchir.
Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) Director General Mr. Daniel Kiptoo Bargoria said that everyone has a responsibility in observing the necessary precautions to avert future accidents in the energy sector.
“In 2009, Kenya experienced the worst oil tanker tragedy along the Nakuru-Eldoret Highway at the Sachangwan area, where the tanker busted into flames and left more than 100 people dead and some injured,” said Bargoria.
He further added that prevention is better than cure and is very important to adhere to safety measures while handling petroleum products and electrical equipment.
The Kaa Safe Mtaani campaign aims at driving awareness and education on safety steps, when handling petroleum and electrical products.
By Irene Mwende
