By: Tonny Kyule
Underlying Kenya’s vibrancy is tremendous potential to propel economic growth in an inclusive and no-one-left-behind manner. Sustainable Development Goals 7 and 8 ;modern, affordable, reliable, sustainable, and efficient energy for all and decent work for all and durable productive employment are the window of opportunity to build a prosperous future. In adopting them, we open the door to a more just society.
Vision a Kenya with every household powered by clean and green energy, energizing the country and changing lives. Energy is the foundation of development; it illuminates industries, schools, and homes. However, the humongous majority of Kenyans are still using outdated sources of energy, which not only waste but also ruin. We can also achieve a cleaner future in energy by investing in cleaner forms of energy such as solar energy, wind energy, and hydroelectric energy. These investment initiatives not only decrease our dependency on fossil fuels, but they also create job opportunities and stimulate economic growth in the regions.
Availability of clean energy is particularly significant in rural villages, where electricity may introduce education and economic opportunity. Look at a school where children are able to study at night, or a small business that is able to stay open late due to inexpensive energy. With availability of energy, we empower people to pursue their dreams and contribute back to society, making economic development from the ground up.
Besides access to energy, we must spur decent work and economic growth as enshrined under SDG 8. Kenya boasts of a strong economy but an under-employment and youth unemployment bedeviled economy. We require a business-friendly environment to spur innovation and entrepreneurship if we are to realize the full potential of our youth. Empowerment of SMEs by enhancing access to finance, training, and mentorship will create jobs and stimulate local economies.
We should also enhance good labor practices and decent work. Everyone should be treated with respect, receive a decent wage, and enjoy a healthy workplace where they can excel. By enforcing labor law and encouraging corporate social responsibility, we can have a just workforce where everyone can flourish.
While working towards SDG 7 and 8, we must also work out the issue of inequality. Growth has to be inclusive for all society and not for elite society. That requires marginalized society policies and growth that includes everyone. Education and skill training for marginalized communities can put them into the workplace and render them productive citizens of the economy.
To achieve this, we need to create synergy between the public and private sectors. Synergy will provide innovative solutions for bridging energy access divides and building sustainable jobs markets. We can share our collective resources and abilities and make a worthwhile contribution.
SDG 7 and SDG 8 realization is a shared agenda. It needs government, business community, civil society, and communities to unite towards its realization. We can collaborate on actions to drive inclusive economic growth and access to energy and decent work for everyone.
Ultimately, the vision of a Kenya powered by economic growth through renewable energy and inequality reduction is possible. With the achievement of these Sustainable Development Goals, we can have a world wherein we can all coexist with the capability to prosper and be given a chance to be able to make a contribution to a prospering nation.
Tonny Kyule is an advocate of SDGs vision 2030 in Rongo University and a writer of the Journalism student association of Kenya.
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