Impacts of Kenya’s Infrastructural Development occasioned by U.S Energy Technology Transfer

Nyonje Otieno Ogutu; Pontian Godfrey  Okoth; Elijah Onyango Standslause  Odhiambo

doi:10.51867/AQSSR.3.4.48

Authors

Nyonje Otieno Ogutu Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology Author
Prof Pontian Godfrey Okoth Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology Author https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8369-9029
Dr. Elijah S.O Odhiambo Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology, Kenya Author https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4725-5655

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.51867/AQSSR.3.4.48

Keywords:

energy transfer, technology, infrastructural development, diplomacy

Abstract

The impact of the transfer of U.S. energy technology to Kenya's infrastructural development was analyzed in six dimensions with regard to renewable energy capacity, employment creation, technical skills development, infrastructure modernization, environmental sustainability and green diplomacy alignment and innovation promotion. The study was guided by modernization theory. Conducted in a mixed-method descriptive research design, the study was based on 362 respondents through Cochran's formula. The target population included the government ministers of Kenya, energy sector players, international institutions, USA ambassador to Kenya, USTDA, USAID, judiciary, security officers, university academicians and civil society. Questionnaires were adopted and the key informant interviews were done quantitatively and qualitatively using descriptive statistics and thematic analysis. The results showed that a complete majority of the people had positive attitudes in economic and technical areas: renewable energy capacity (79.3%), employment creation (85.2%), technical skills development (84.5%), infrastructure modernization (74.8%), and innovation promotion (80.3%). More importantly, 81% of those surveyed were sceptical about environmental sustainability and Kenya’s green diplomacy agenda. This paradox is the main point of the study, and shows the tension between tangible economic gains and the ecological costs of technology transfer. The study proves that in reality the success of technology transfer cannot be measured purely on financial grounds; environmental sustainability, local adaptation, and strategic fit are also key factors. Recommendations include further strengthening local content requirements in terms of environmental safeguards, ownership of research agendas, and leveraging Kenya’s regional leadership to negotiate terms that prioritize developmental goals and environmental stewardship in technology transfer terms.

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