Multimedia University of Kenya (MMU) has received a major boost in its research and innovation profile following the appointment of Dr. David Wekesa, the university’s Director of Research and Innovation as lead expert in a high-impact international consultancy on renewable energy.
Dr. Wekesa and his consortium have been awarded a Consultancy Contract under the project “Strengthening the Framework Conditions for 100% Renewable Energies in Kenya (RE100%)”, a flagship initiative implemented by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) in partnership with the Kenyan Ministry of Energy and Petroleum (MoEP) and funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ)
Speaking at the university, Dr. Wekesa said that the one-year consultancy focuses on providing actionable advisory services to Kenyan industries to accelerate electrification of industrial processes.
“This project seeks to support Kenya’s transition away from fossil fuel–dependent systems toward clean, efficient, and smart energy solutions powered entirely by renewable sources,” said Dr. Wekesa.
He revealed that under the consultancy, he is serving as Key Expert – Industrial Energy Systems and Electrification Specialist, a role that places him at the centre of technical assessments on how industries can shift to renewable-powered, electrified processes
His responsibilities include evaluating industrial energy systems, identifying electrification opportunities, assessing energy efficiency and equipment sizing, and supporting the integration of renewable energy technologies such as solar, biomass, and waste heat recovery.
“It is unfortunate that despite Kenya’s strong renewable energy base, where renewables account for over 80 per cent of electricity generation, many industries still rely heavily on fossil fuels such as diesel, heavy fuel oil, and coal. These practices increase production costs, carbon emissions, and exposure to volatile global fuel prices and this is the critical national challenge that this study is responding to,” said Dr. Wekesa.
Dr. Wekesa, who is also currently the head of capacity building, R and D at the Association of Energy Professionals Eastern Africa (AEPEA), add that as a remedy, the project aims to unlock cleaner, cheaper, and more competitive energy pathways for key industrial sectors, including manufacturing, agro-processing, and other energy-intensive value chains.
“We hope that our advisory will guide industries on electrification, energy optimisation, energy efficiency, and adoption of smart technologies, while also addressing regulatory, financial, and skills-related barriers,” he said.
Dr. Wekesa’s appointment reflects MMU’s growing role in linking academic research with national development priorities as the project’s outcomes are expected to influence policy reforms, investment decisions, and technology adoption across Kenya’s industrial sector.
By Nicanor Ndiege
