The bad taste that the recent drought, and subsequent famine, has left in our mouths is still very present. These recent events bring to the forefront the impact humanity is having on the environment. For example, the inability to predict when rain will fall means that farmers are unsure of when to plant, weed or harvest; this leads to a direct effect on the country’s food security.

One answer to this crisis is creating more ‘green’ dwellings. Dr Alfred Omenya is an architect who specialises in building dwellings that comply with international standards in environmentally friendly housing. He also lectures at the University of Nairobi, hopefully equipping the next generation of architects to do the same. We sat him down at his office in Gigiri and asked him to shed some light on green housing and alternative energy and what it really means to our futures. Who is Dr. Omenya?

I am an architect, trained in architectural design, housing and technical sustainability and community development. I have worked in the private sector, taught in three Universities and consulted for various international civil society organisations and governments. I have published some 30 academic and continue to consult in urban sustainability issues and housing internationally. That must come with some sound academic qualifications? I have a PhD, from the Department of Architecture, Wits University Johannesburg for which I studied from 2003 to 2005 on German Academic Exchange Programme (DAAD) & Wits. I also hold a Master of Architecture, (With Distinction in all subjects) from Wits University Johannesburg in 2002. I obtained my Bachelor of Architecture degree from the University Of Nairobi, Kenya in 1997.

What has been your experience of the ‘green-building’ industry? I have been fortunate enough to be involved in many projects both locally and internationally. These include the Proposed Sustainable Master plan for Kisumu City in Kenya, with Planning Systems Services in 2006. Also, because of international requirements on carbon footprints that multi-nationals are party to. I participated in the Proposed Regional Headquarters for Coca-Cola. I helped in the Proposed MAVOKO Eco-Villages in 2006 as well as several high income residential developments, clinics, shopping centres and so on. Is the industry big enough to write home about?

The sustainable housing industry is still in its infancy in Kenya and awareness of its availability is still rather low. How common is ‘green-housing’ locally? The housing market as it stands now is in flux due to the rising inflation. Green housing may pose a cheaper option because of the reduced energy costs in the long run. But currently, they are not very common in the market, with only a few specialists in the field. Who is building environmentally-friendlydwellings locally?

Many architects can incorporate aspects of sustainable housing in their designs should the client be amenable to it or even request it. This could include Low-E windows, solar augmentation, superior insulation, solar panels on the roof and tankless water heaters, as well as a cistern that collects rain water from roofs. However, those that specialise in this field in Kenya are only six. What international laws are in place to govern green housing? Different countries have different building codes that govern housing units in a sustainable way. The U.K, U.S, Japan and Germany are well known for having sustainable housing laws. How do they apply locally?

Many multi-nationals are liable for their carbon footprint and are subject to fines should their footprint exceed a certain level. Therefore you find that local affiliates of these multi-nationals such as Standard Chartered Bank or Coca Cola as well as many embassies are obliged to comply with international regulations on sustainable housing.

Please explain the concept of green housing to a layman. Green housing simply means building your dwelling in such a way that it is self-sustaining in terms of energy use and production, lighting and air. It also means it does not take more from the environment than it is willing to give back. Say that again? Sustainable housing simply implies that there is a synergy between the manmade building and the natural environment that surrounds it. What is the significance of ‘green’ housing to the environment?

This is a symbiotic relationship, so to speak, that ensures that the resources of both the building and the environment are not exhausted by the presence of the other, but that there is a selfrenewing mechanism put in place for both. How would it benefit the population to invest in green housing? The benefits of green housing are self evident; both for good health physically and financially, as well as socially. What are the financing options for green housing? Gateway Africa is an organisation that deals with sustainable energy solutions and provides financing, locally. What strides have we made as a country and where are we going with alternative energy?

Although the concept of sustainable development is not yet a mainstream concept, there are pockets of innovation that have taken place. Personally, I am involved in research on three such projects that is Dandora Landfill Gas Project, with CNA supported by the Dutch Development Agency, HIVOs Bio-diesel: production, policy and technical hitches in East Africa (Eco- Build Africa and Sync Consult, Johannesburg) and tracking of the UNFCCC process on behalf of Kenyan civil society organisations.

What is our government’s involvement in green housing? The government is not directly involved in the building or development of sustainable housing. What legislation is in place to deal with this issue? The construction industry is in its infancy when it comes to a sustainable framework. The legislation currently being proposed are bills to do with basic building standards. When that is achieved, then secondary legislation will be proposed on the sustainability of those dwellings. What is the government position on the future of green housing?

The government considers sustainable housing as one of the Millennium Development Goals. Are there building codes in place that insist on environmentally friendly building? If not, why not? Currently there is no specific legislation that promotes sustainable construction. There have been talks of Climate Change Bill; that has not come to pass. The Energy Act, limits production of renewable energy, as it limits the extent to which distribution can be done.

Distribution is a monopoly of KPLC. The Building Code and Building and Planning Laws and Bylaws are yet to embrace sustainability. Thus we still have long way to go on these issues. There is only occasional talk that shows that these issues are starting to be understood but no concrete policies or actions have been undertaken.