Naivasha, 19 February 2015
On the first day of his two day working visit to Kenya, Presidents Kagame joined President Kenyatta today to officiate the Commissioning Ceremony of the 140 MW Olkaria 1 Geothermal Plant that is projected to reduce the cost of production of goods, lower the cost of living and decrease dependence on electricity from fuel generators making Kenya the 7th highest producer of Geothermal Power.
On renewable energy President Kagame said;
“Clean energy is very important. But we should not take too much time debating that as we should take sufficient time to find ways in which we should be able to deliver electricity. Before it even becomes clean, it must be there. The debate is not between no electricity and renewable or clean energy. The debate is about having sufficient electricity to power industry, school, homes and the whole economy as it should be.”
President Kagame commended President Kenyatta and Kenya for taking up responsibility in spearheading the region forward:
“Your coming to office re-energized all of us and has led to significant progress to the region. You have a reliable friend and partner in us in anything that can uplift all of us as Africans.”
The cost of power has reduced since 2014 when the first 140MW geothermal plant was commissioned.
President Kagame is in Kenya on a two day working visit where he will be attending the 16th Ordinary Summit of East African Community bringing together Heads of State of all five member states.
Key achievements to be discussed include negotiations for the admission of the Republic of South Sudan into the East Africa Community, Verification of the application of the federal republic of Somalia to join the East Africa Community, progress towards the establishment of a one Area Network for East Africa, implementation of the Directive of the Summit on extension of Jurisdiction of the East African Court of Justice among others.
The Summit is also scheduled to review the application of South Sudan and Somalia to the EAC and the roadmap for an EAC political federation.
The 16th Ordinary Summit of East African Community Heads of States will be held at the Kenyatta International Conference Centre in Nairobi on 20 February 2015 and follows the last summit held in Kampala in November 2013.