COMMENTS ON THE DRAFT NATIONAL ENERGY POLICY 2025

Natural Justice critiques the draft National Energy Policy (NEP) 2025 for Kenya, highlighting a contradiction between its clean energy goals and its proposal to continue oil, coal, and nuclear development. The organization argues that these fossil-fuel and nuclear pathways risk creating stranded assets and undermine climate commitments. Key recommendations include the adoption of a dedicated Just Energy Transition chapter, the mandatory use of Community Development Agreements (CDAs), and the alignment of land acquisition practices with World Bank standards. Natural Justice specifically urges the removal of nuclear energy and liquefied natural gas (LNG) from the policy in favor of geothermal, solar, and wind alternatives.

• The draft National Energy Policy (NEP) contains internal contradictions by claiming to promote clean energy solutions while simultaneously setting a goal to "continue with oil and coal development activities" to enhance national energy security.
• Natural Justice argues that pursuing coal development would undermine Kenya's climate commitments and risk "stranded assets" because renewable power generation, specifically solar PV, is increasingly cheaper than fossil fuel alternatives.
• The document recommends the total exclusion of nuclear energy from the NEP, citing high capital costs, dependence on imported uranium, and potential environmental risks to coral reefs and aquatic life in Kwale and Kilifi.
• The NEP is criticized for lacking a clear framework for a 'just and equitable energy transition,' with Natural Justice proposing a dedicated chapter, an oversight body, and the adoption of principles from the Alliance for Just Energy Transformation (AJET).
• There is a noted absence of Community Development Agreements (CDAs) in the NEP, despite such agreements being required under the Mining Act and the Climate Change Act for other resource projects.
• Natural Justice recommends that land acquisition for energy projects align with the September 2024 Resettlement Policy Framework (RPF) used for the Kenya Off-Grid Solar Access Project (KOSAP) and the principles of Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC).
• The document highlights that the NEP fails to mention Kenya's Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement or provide strategies for reducing greenhouse gas emissions from the energy sector.

APA

Natural Justice (2026). COMMENTS ON THE DRAFT NATIONAL ENERGY POLICY 2025. https://naturaljustice.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Comment-on-the-National-Energy-Policy-2026-1_Kenya.pdf

Chicago

Natural Justice. COMMENTS ON THE DRAFT NATIONAL ENERGY POLICY 2025. 2026. https://naturaljustice.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Comment-on-the-National-Energy-Policy-2026-1_Kenya.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite press release |author=Natural Justice |title=COMMENTS ON THE DRAFT NATIONAL ENERGY POLICY 2025 |date=25 June 2026 |url=https://naturaljustice.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Comment-on-the-National-Energy-Policy-2026-1_Kenya.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@misc{naturaljustice2026comments, author = {{Natural Justice}}, title = {{COMMENTS ON THE DRAFT NATIONAL ENERGY POLICY 2025}}, publisher = {Natural Justice}, year = {2026}, month = jun, url = {https://naturaljustice.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Comment-on-the-National-Energy-Policy-2026-1_Kenya.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }