Kenya: environment

What share of Kenya's electricity is renewable?

Renewable sources produced 81.13% of the electricity generated in Kenya in the year to June 2026, compared with 80.48% the year before, according to the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority's Energy and Petroleum Statistics Report 2026. Geothermal was the largest source at 40.91% of generation, followed by hydro at 22.65% and wind at 12.31%. Electricity imports made up 12.19%.

Kenya's geothermal power comes from steam fields in the Rift Valley; 70MW of new geothermal capacity was added at Menengai in Nakuru County during the year. Hydro output depends on rainfall, so the renewable share can change between wet and dry years. Imports and thermal (oil-fired) plants supply most of the rest.

Official sources: EPRA: Energy and Petroleum Statistics Report 2026

How much electricity does Kenya generate?

Kenya generated 15,692.81 GWh of electricity in the year to June 2026, 8.44% more than the 14,472 GWh of the year before, according to the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA). Peak demand reached a record 2,514.28 MW on 29 June 2026. Installed capacity was 3,987.20 MW, of which geothermal was 25.42%, hydro 21.88%, thermal 15.80%, solar 14.73% and wind 10.94%.

Installed capacity is the maximum the plants could produce, while generation is what they actually produced. Peak demand is the highest load on the grid at any one time. Monthly generation by source is published in the Central Bank of Kenya's Monthly Economic Indicators; generation was 1,233 million kWh in July 2026.

Official sources: EPRA: Energy and Petroleum Statistics Report 2026 · Central Bank of Kenya: Monthly Economic Indicators, July 2026

What are Kenya's carbon dioxide emissions?

Kenya emitted 0.38 tonnes of carbon dioxide per person in 2024, excluding land use, according to the World Bank, using EDGAR data. Electricity generation on the grid produced an estimated 833,833 tonnes of CO2 in the year to June 2026, a grid emission factor of 0.053 tonnes per MWh, the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority says. In its second Nationally Determined Contribution, for 2031 to 2035, Kenya commits to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 35% by 2035 against a business-as-usual level of 215 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent.

Kenya's per-person emissions are low partly because most of its electricity comes from geothermal, hydro and wind power. The CO2 figure excludes other greenhouse gases such as methane, so it gives only part of the picture.

Official sources: World Bank: CO2 emissions per capita, Kenya · EPRA: Energy and Petroleum Statistics Report 2026

What is the weather forecast for the short rains in Kenya?

Above-average rainfall is expected over most of Kenya in the October to December 2026 "short rains" season, according to the Kenya Meteorological Department's seasonal forecast issued on 31 August 2026. This includes Nairobi, Mombasa, Nakuru, Kisumu, Garissa, Mandera and Wajir, with heavy rainfall events likely in several counties. Near-average to above-average rainfall is likely in Turkana and parts of West Pokot, Samburu and Marsabit. Temperatures are expected to be warmer than average.

The Department links the outlook to the El Niño phenomenon, which it describes as currently strong, and to the Indian Ocean Dipole; rainfall is enhanced when El Niño coincides with a positive dipole. The Department updates county forecasts on its seasonal forecast page.

Official sources: Kenya Meteorological Department: OND 2026 seasonal forecast · Kenya Meteorological Department: seasonal forecast

How bad is air pollution in Kenya?

Kenyans were exposed to an average of 20.3 micrograms of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) per cubic metre of air in 2023, according to the World Bank. The figure was 20.8 in 2022 and 20.7 in 2021. Access to electricity, which reduces the use of kerosene and charcoal in homes, reached 77% of the population in 2024, the World Bank reports.

The PM2.5 figure is a population-weighted national average, so levels in parts of Nairobi and other cities, and inside homes that cook with wood or charcoal, can be higher. Fine particles come from vehicles, burning waste, cooking fuels and dust. The National Environment Management Authority sets air quality regulations.

Official sources: World Bank: PM2.5 air pollution, mean annual exposure, Kenya · World Bank: access to electricity, Kenya

What is Kenya's carbon footprint per person?

0.4 tonnes: that is carbon dioxide emissions per person in Kenya for 2024, according to the European Commission's EDGAR database. Since 2005 it has ranged from 0.3 tonnes (2005) to 0.4 tonnes (2022). Sub-Saharan Africa median: 0.4 tonnes; Kenya is 24th highest of 47. Worldwide: 156th of 186.

What are Kenya's total greenhouse gas emissions?

The European Commission's EDGAR database puts total greenhouse gas emissions in Kenya at 103 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent in 2024. Its high point since 2005 was 2020, at 109 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent; its low point was 2006, at 51.6 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent. It is 5th highest of 47 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is 24.6 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent. Of 186 countries with 2024 data, 52nd highest.

What share of Kenya's energy comes from renewables?

The latest figure from the IEA, IRENA, the UN Statistics Division, the World Bank and the WHO, for 2021, is 67.7%. It is the bottom of the series, which starts in 2005. Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was 71.1%, and Kenya placed 27th highest of 48. Of 191 countries with 2021 data, 31st highest.

How much of Kenya is forest?

In 2024, forest area as a share of land in Kenya was 6.6%, according to the FAO. Its high point since 2005 was 2010, at 6.8%; its low point was 2015, at 5.9%. Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was 22.2%, and Kenya placed 44th highest of 48. Of 190 countries with 2024 data, 161st highest.

How polluted is the air in Kenya?

20.3 micrograms per cubic metre: that is average exposure to fine particle air pollution (PM2.5) in Kenya for 2023, according to the Global Burden of Disease study. Since 2005 it has ranged from 16.6 micrograms per cubic metre (2005) to 22.7 micrograms per cubic metre (2020). Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was 27.5 micrograms per cubic metre, and Kenya placed 31st highest of 48. Worldwide: 79th of 192.

How much of Kenya's land is protected?

The UN Environment Programme puts the share of land in protected areas in Kenya at 13.9% in 2025. The peak was 14.3% in 2013 and the low 12.2% in 2014. It is 31st highest of 48 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is 16.9%. Of 192 countries with 2025 data, 125th highest.

Is Kenya short of water?

The FAO puts water stress in Kenya at 33.2% in 2022. No year since 2005 has been higher. Sub-Saharan Africa median: 5.1%; Kenya is 6th highest of 47. Of 175 countries with 2022 data, 49th highest.