Multimedia University of Kenya Director of Research and Innovation Dr. David Wekesa is leading a consortium of energy experts in development of a Comprehensive Diocesan Energy Sustainability Strategy (DESS) for the Diocese of Lodwar, in a move aimed at strengthening renewable energy adoption and improving energy access across church institutions in Turkana County.
The seven-week consultancy seeks to establish a structured and sustainable framework for planning, managing and maintaining energy systems across diocesan institutions including schools, health facilities, parishes and administrative offices.
The Diocesan Energy Sustainability Strategy implementation period will run from 2026 to 2036 and is donor-funded by Horizont3000 from Austria, with the main aim of solarizing schools and health facilities in ASAL counties under the Catholic Church.
During an inception workshop held on Thursday, May 6, 2026, at St. Theresa Pastoral Centre in Lodwar, the project’s Lead Consultant Dr. Wekesa said that the consultancy will focus on developing a renewable energy roadmap that promotes use of sustainable energy solutions, particularly solar energy, while strengthening institutional capacity and integrating energy planning into diocesan governance and budgeting systems.
This, he said, is to address gaps captured in a inception report that notes many diocesan institutions depend heavily on energy for critical services including healthcare delivery, education, communication and community outreach, yet existing energy systems remain unevenly distributed and poorly coordinated.
Dr. Wekesa and his team of experts are therefore expected to undertake technical and institutional assessments, stakeholder consultations and validation workshops before developing a final implementation-ready strategy.
He revealed that the consultancy will also design operation and maintenance systems for energy infrastructure and propose sustainable financing mechanisms to support long-term maintenance and future investments in renewable energy projects.
“The strategy will further incorporates cross-cutting issues such as gender inclusion, climate resilience and environmental sustainability to ensure the Diocese develops an integrated and practical approach to energy management,” he said.
By Nicanor Ndiege
