By Quinter Atieno
The County Government of Siaya, through the Department of Public Works, Roads, Energy, and Transport, has successfully concluded a comprehensive county wide enumeration process.
This initiative, conducted in partnership with Practical Action, marks a critical step toward the finalization of the County Energy Plan (CEP), Energy Policy (EP), and Energy Investment Prospectuses (EIP).
The data collection exercise, which wrapped up its second phase today, aims to provide an evidence based foundation for the county’s energy future. By capturing precise data on energy demand and supply, the County Government is positioning itself to make informed decisions on infrastructure projects and attract strategic investments.
The enumeration process was designed to be inclusive and exhaustive, ensuring no sector of the Siaya community was left behind.
The initial phase focused on individual households, documenting socio-demographic characteristics, current energy access levels, and resource utilization.
The final four-day phase, which began this past Monday, targeted critical service providers and energy users, including:
* Education: ECDE centers, Primary and Secondary schools, and TVETs.
* Health: Level 1 to 4 hospitals.
* Commerce & Industry: Hotels, welding workshops, and small-scale industries.
* Supply Chain: Key energy solution providers, such as SunKing, to understand the local market availability.
To ensure the integrity of the data, all enumerators underwent rigorous training prior to deployment. The training emphasized technical proficiency with the KoBoCollect digital tool, professional ethics, and the strict requirement for informed consent from all participants.
The data gathered will undergo analysis to shape the County Energy Plan and Investment Prospectuses. These documents will serve as the roadmap for energy development in Siaya, ensuring that future projects are not only viable but tailored to the specific needs of its residents and businesses.
The Department is committed to developing sustainable infrastructure and energy solutions that foster economic empowerment and environmental stewardship within Siaya County.