Taxing solar panels betrays our environment

I have a soft spot for the environment. Nothing beats a walk in the forest where the only sounds are those of birds, crickets and the occasional wild animal, though this last sound usually makes my adrenaline kick in ready for instant flight.

With a love of environment comes the love of nature. And that’s why matters climate change means a lot to me and indeed should for everyone who cares about the future. Climate change is the defining challenge of our time.

With rising global temperatures, erratic weather patterns, and frequent natural disasters, the world is witnessing far-reaching consequences of environmental neglect. While all nations feel the impact, the burden falls disproportionately on countries least responsible for the problem — among them Kenya.

I have seen erratic weather in my lifetime: where rivers once used to flow throughout the year, now we only have dry valleys; where farmers could predict the rainy and dry seasons like clockwork, this is no longer the case. This is not unique to Kenya. Globally, the climate crisis is intensifying. Ice caps are melting, sea levels rising, and heatwaves, floods, and droughts growing more extreme. Driven largely by fossil fuel consumption, deforestation, and unsustainable industrial practices, greenhouse gas emissions continue to climb. Africa is among countries most vulnerable to climate change though we are the lowest contributors to the climate crisis. Kenya’s economy for instance is largely dependent on agriculture, now threatened by unpredictable rainfall, prolonged droughts, and devastating floods.

If any proof was needed of the extent of the crisis, the melting glaciers on Mount Kenya, a vital water source, is a stark reminder of the effects of global warming. As water scarcity grows, so too does the risk of conflict over dwindling resources.

Kenya has long been praised for its commitment to green energy, with over 80 per cent of electricity coming from renewable sources like geothermal and hydro. But recent policy decisions have caused concern. In the new finance bill, the crafty chaps at Treasury have decided that Kenyans are having such a fine time with solar power that they have decided to remove the zero rating on solar panels and lithium batteries, meaning they will now pay VAT. Just when we thought we could go off-grid, here comes the government sneakily snatching away our dreams. This contradictory approach threatens to stall the momentum Kenya has built in clean energy. It places undue burden on citizens and small businesses that could benefit most from affordable, sustainable power.

It is ironic that even when this climate-friendly clause is being introduced, President William Ruto had gone ahead and launched a tree planting campaign with the ambitious goal of planting 15 billion trees by 2032. With an estimated 1,000 trees an acre, this means the government would have to figure out where to get 15 million acres of land.

While the vision is commendable, the scale of the project has raised eyebrows. Two years into the launch, I am not sure we have even planted one per cent of this target. Planting 1.5 billion trees annually would require extensive coordination, land availability, long-term maintenance, and substantial funding. Questions have been raised about the feasibility of the target, survival rates of the trees, and whether communities have been adequately empowered and resourced for the campaign. For Kenya, the road ahead demands policy coherence, community involvement, and a balanced approach that merges environmental goals with economic realities. Taxing renewables while promoting green initiatives sends mixed signals that undermine progress.

The climate crisis is real, urgent and deeply unfair. But it is not insurmountable. With genuine commitment, consistent policies, and global solidarity, Kenya — and the world — can chart a path toward a more resilient and sustainable future. Time to act is now.