The nomad leading green energy march

Jibril Omar was born and raised in Baragoi, tending camels and without the tiniest care in the world. His school was lit by an unreliable generator, and for most of his life, darkness was a part of it. He hoped to light his and other remote homes in the country when he grew up.

In 2013, he and his partners founded Ofgen, a company that supplies solar energy, ticked this and other boxes in his life.

At 40, Jibril is living his dream. In the table of virtuous men, the CEO claims a high seat. But for the husband and father of two children, old habits die hard. His venturesome spirit and love for the course and eccentric remain unhinged. He told James Kahongeh why it’s hard to shake off his nomad background.

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What form of energy best captures your personality?

Sunshine (Laughs). I believe I have its warmth and light. My friends and I drive to remote places to watch the sun rise and set. During these trips, we hoist solar panels on our vehicles to power our floodlights, coolers and other appliances.

At this age, what old skins haven’t you been able to shed?

(Giggly) Adventure. I always go back to my old ways. I’m a member of the Bundu Rovers club, and off-road trips fascinate me. This week my friends and I drove for more than 1,000 kilometres from Nairobi to Eliye Springs in Turkana County through off-grid dirt trails. Always take the unconventional route to get the most out of a trip.

Growing up in the north of Kenya, what was your most intimate wish?

There was no electricity in Baragoi. In school, we’d lose power for up to 18 hours. Yet we had plenty of sunshine every day. Back then though, we couldn’t afford solar panels. We were part of the 600 million Africans without access to electricity. In places such as Wajir where my wife comes from, the town is powered by diesel generators. Residents are in darkness sometimes for 20 days in a month. I desired to see these remote places lit.

Family businesses in Kenya seem to be in dire straits. What’s the secret of being on top of things?

My partners and I come from very diverse backgrounds. It’s up to our finance director, who operates from Rwanda, to handle money issues. Our technical director is in charge of operations. Our chairman Prof Izael Da Silva, mentors us all. As CEO and commercial director, my job is to bring business. This independence of roles has created accountability, unlike in family business where an individual sometimes has to make all critical decisions.

Are you a good salesperson?

I’m good at people skills. Consistency and the local content element comes in handy for me. I take time to understand a potential client and walk with them in their journey.

How would you describe adoption of renewable energy among Kenyans?

The sector is vibrant and growing very fast with the entry of more players in the commercial energy space. Adoption here may not be as fast as in Europe, but we have come a long way. The conversation has shifted from access to affordability. Kenyan consumers though take a long time to decide whether to invest or not.

Is the trajectory promising?

With the new Energy Act that imposes VAT {value added tax} on renewable energy, we’re moving backwards. Some of our competitors have had to shut down because it’s not sustainable anymore to operate in this market. Being the only exclusively Kenyan-owned business, we’ve been more resilient. In the event that there’s no business at all, we’d remain here because we’re home.

What do you think is inevitable about this sector?

The need to decentralise, decarbonise and digitise energy. The era of transmitting power for kilometres to distribute to consumers is long gone. We need to empower people to invest in their own renewable energy forms. We must also depart from fossils to clean energy. It should also be possible to verify energy bills from suppliers through technology.

What does the future look like?

The sun will shine every morning irrespective of regimes and policies. People will always adapt. The government though needs to facilitate and make it easier for people to adopt clean energy by developing a consistent regulatory framework.

What gets under your feet now?

Lack of organisation. Lately I’ve this OCD {obsessive-compulsive disorder} that things must be done in an organised manner. Including the arrangement of my shirts in the closet. I’m unable to think in a chaotic environment.

If your flaws were put in a glass jar, which one wouldn’t you have the courage to look at?

Coming from a religious background, I wish I hadn’t become lenient as I grew up. Sometimes I skipped prayers and wasn’t grateful enough for what I have.

Any life experience that has left you worse off?

I lost my 21-year-old niece earlier this month. She had just landed a job and moved to Stockholm. (Silence) It hadn’t occurred to me just how vulnerable human beings are until now. I’m yet to recover.

When you look at the world through your children’s eyes, what do you see?

A world that’s obviously more lit than mine. They live a more comfortable life. I see a world that’s fast changing, it’s nearly impossible to keep up. The cost of living is also much higher now.

How do nourish your soul?

There’s a place in Tigoni where people visit and disconnect from the world. I switch off my phone for two days and take time to reflect. It’s rejuvenating.

What’s the next chapter in your (life) book?

(Lights up) Investment in family time. My daughter is six years old and son five. They’re growing up very fast. My job involves a lot of travel, which limits how much we interact. I’m contemplating settling away from Nairobi so that I can spend more time with them.