Assessing Electricity Security in Relation to Electricity Supply Dynamics in Mukuru Kwa Reuben Informal Settlement, Nairobi, Kenya.

Abstract

The research cross-examined electricity (in)security in Mukuru kwa Reuben informal settlement, in the context of affordability, accessibility, availability and acceptability. Literature has demonstrated that electricity security in informal settlements of developing countries is largely wanting, as the inhabitants in these environments have low income means, which deter their ability to get connected to formal electricity. Based on literature assessment, there is widespread use of informal electricity, connected from the main grids to households in informal settlements, as this is rendered ‘affordable’ and quick to connect to due to minimal requirements imposed to the consumers. The purpose of this study was to assess electricity security in relation to electricity supply dynamics in Mukuru kwa Reuben. The research problem was electricity insecurity in Mukuru kwa Reuben. Electricity insecurity manifested in Mukuru through expensive electricity installation cost and tariffs; poor electricity accessibility; low acceptability of formal electricity due to cost and policy restrictions; and compromised availability and quality of electricity. The research specific objectives were: 1) to evaluate the affordability of electricity delivery models for the residents of Mukuru kwa Reuben; 2) to determine how the Mukuru kwa Reuben preferred electricity suppliers relate with their delivery mechanisms; 3) to determine the accessibility mechanisms of electricity for the residents of Mukuru kwa Reuben; and 4) To critically synthesise electricity security policies in the context of governance gaps. The research used both quantitative and qualitative methods of data collection. Quantitative data was obtained through household interviews. Using the Slovin’s formula, 394 households were computed and targeted for interviews. Out of this, 380 households were successfully interviewed. Simple random sampling was used to identify the houses to be interviewed. This sampling method was preferred as Mukuru kwa Reuben is an informal settlement, with high number of housing structures that are organically arranged. The statistical method used for quantitative data analysis was two sample t test, to compare the two independent variables (formal and informal electricity suppliers) against the dependent variables. The null hypotheses were: ‘There is no difference in preference for those using the formal and informal electricity supplies’ and ‘there is no difference in accessibility for those using the formal and informal electricity supplies’. MANOVA was also

used to test the null hypothesis: ‘there is no difference in affordability for those using formal and informal electricity supplies’. MANOVA was used to test this hypothesis as two dependent variables (electricity supplier and cost of electricity per month) needed to be tested simultaneously, against the independent variable (household income levels per month). Qualitative data was collected through interviewing two Informal Electricity Retailers (IERs) in Mukuru kwa Reuben. Data analysis flagged out major electricity security deterrents in Mukuru kwa Reuben which included: unaffordability of formal electricity. This has increased reliance on informal electricity supply, as noted by 73.2% of the respondents. This however does not translate to increased preference of informal electricity. In fact, consumers can be seen as captive users of electricity supplied by IERs due to their inability to afford formal electricity. About 71% of the consumers indicated that they would prefer to get connected to the formal electricity if it was affordable, as they view it as safe, legal, of quality, and reliable. Data analysis has also illustrated that the electricity is termed as inaccessible due to frequent brown outs, blackouts and disconnections. Accessibility is largely affected by electricity infrastructure overload, as the existing infrastructure cannot adequately serve the high population density. The research has also demonstrated that there exists policy and institutional gaps, as electricity supply and affordability mechanisms for informal settlements have not been explicitly outlined. The study recognizes the complexities of attaining electricity security, which are compounded by the current lack of holistic solutions tailormade for informal settlements. The study therefore recommends: 1) elimination of electricity installation costs and reducing monthly tariffs for people living in informal settlements; 2) upgrading existing electricity infrastructure and increasing number of transformers to reduce overloads, increase accessibility and connections to formal reliable electricity; 3) partnerships between local communities, KPLC and IERs to co- develop an electricity supply model that is business sensitive, tariffs sensitive, and accommodates social- economic fragilities of the urban poor; 4) development of special and flexible requirements that allow for easy and straightforward connectivity to legal electricity in informal settlements. Finally, 5) address institutional and policy gaps on provision of low cost, legal, clean, reliable and quality electricity in informal settlements by anchoring of sustainable electricity delivery mechanisms in policy and existing institutional frameworks. The paper acknowledges that more research is needed to generate increased evidence of institutional capacities; and general reasons and solutions for electricity sector capture by cartels from policy to procurement